Dr Farshad Badie, Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science and Informatics at the Berlin School of Business and Innovation, explores how AI and robotics can better reflect human values.
When I think about recent advances in artificial intelligence and robotics, I feel both excitement and concern. These systems can reshape industries and improve daily life. However, progress alone is not enough. We must also ask how these technologies can serve people in meaningful ways.
So, how do we design robots that do more than complete tasks? More importantly, how do we ensure they respect human values, emotions, and cultural differences?
Why Human Centered Values Matter
I believe responsible robotics must rest on human-centered principles. These include empathy, inclusion, cultural awareness, and clear purpose. Therefore, technical performance alone should never define success.
For example, healthcare robots should not focus only on speed or accuracy. Instead, they must also build trust and support emotional well-being. Patients come from different backgrounds, and robots must respect those differences.
A robot that can recognize emotions, respond with care, and support social good shows how technology can enhance human life rather than replace it.
Designing Robots with Meaning
To embed values, designers need a careful and reflective approach. First, they must question their assumptions. Next, they should consider how robots affect society.
This process mirrors responsible education. In learning, people revisit ideas like fairness, reasoning, and collaboration. Similarly, robotics developers should reflect on ethics, impact, and responsibility.
In practice, this means using diverse teams and engaging communities early. It also means building feedback systems so robots can adapt over time. As a result, these systems can grow with society and remain relevant.
AI and Human Agency
Technology can support this effort. For instance, AI tools can track how ideas like trust or empathy change through interaction. They can also show how understanding deepens through reflection and dialogue.
Still, responsibility rests with people. Researchers, designers, and policymakers must guide these systems with care. When we value transparency and inclusion, we protect human agency.
Building a Human-Centered Robotics Future
Looking ahead, robotics should remain adaptable and open to ethical review. We must continue asking how these systems can serve all communities fairly.
One clear path forward involves participatory design. When people take part in shaping technology, robots better support human purpose and connection.
Empowering People Through Technology
Embedding human-centered values in AI and robotics is an ongoing task. Yet it is essential.
In my view, responsible innovation demands more than technical skill. It requires commitment to ethics, meaning, and care. When we design with these goals in mind, we create systems that respect diversity and strengthen society.
