"Humans will always want to talk to other humans. The reason is that only other humans really understand us."

In a strange twist, this AI tries to teach empathy to humans

Sub-optimal Cheeriness Detected

A pharmacy call center has deployed AI that coaches human employees how to have more empathy with frustrated customers on the phone.

In a Strange Twist, This AI Tries to Teach Empathy to Humans

Normally the emotion education works the other way around.

"I mean, once these things come in, I'm done; I'm out."

Truckers want to ban self-driving trucks in Missouri

Truck Rally

Truck drivers in Missouri are trying to get self-driving trucks banned in the state over concerns that they would get automated out of a job.

Truckers Want to Ban Self-Driving Trucks in Missouri

"Most of these people coming in today are literally a week out of being out of business."

Nearly two-thirds of survey respondents preferred a robot replacement.

Most people would rather a robot steal their job than a person

Unemployment Fine

Most people would rather lose their job to automation than to another human, according to a newly published study out of Germany.

Most People Would Rather a Robot Steal Their Job Than a Person

They'd feel worse about themselves if another human took their job.

First Ejection Due to TrackMan in Atlantic League/Baseball History

Frank Viola is the first casualty in the war of man versus machine.

Baseball coach ejected for fighting with robot umpire

Automated Martyrdom

Just one inning into the "robot umpire" Trackman's major league debut, a human coach decided to pick a fight and got ejected from the game.

Baseball Coach Ejected for Fighting With Robot Umpire

He only lasted one inning before arguing about the strike zone.

"We can see the contours of something new, a society as distinct from our own as that of the 20th century from feudalism, or urban civilization from the life of the hunter-gatherer."

NYT calls for "fully automated luxury communism"

Support System

A new op-ed in the New York Times says that everyone can embrace a life of high-tech luxury, as long as the world embraces communism.

NYT Calls For “Fully Automated Luxury Communism”

Saving the world with new tech would require ending capitalism.

"The monotony in the store has increased a ton since we've gotten these robots."

Walmart employees hate their new robot coworkers

Coworker Concerns

Walmart executives have great things to say about their new robot workers, but human employees are less than thrilled about them.

Walmart Employees Hate Their New Robot Coworkers

The remaining humans feel undervalued after robots take over some tasks.

But there are still plenty of humans involved in preparing orders.

Amazon now has machines to automatically box up orders

Box Bots

According to a Reuters exclusive, Amazon is rolling out specially-made machines that are capable of boxing up orders — a job "held by thousands."

Amazon Now Has Machines to Automatically Box Up Orders

Amazon's goal is reportedly a "light's out' warehouse," void of humans.

Nations would be better off improving public services, say the report's authors.

Huge analysis finds "no evidence" basic income is sustainable

Temporary Fix

An analysis of 16 basic income projects concluded that giving people free money simply wouldn't be sustainable for any nation in the long term.

Huge Analysis Finds “No Evidence” Basic Income Is Sustainable

UBI couldn't help any nation over the long term, a new report concludes.

But right now, humans are still better merch pickers.

Amazon says it could have fully automated warehouses in 10 years

Jobs Lost

Amazon warehouses could be fully automated in about a decade, but for now, humans are still better than bots at picking merchandise.

Amazon Says It Could Have Fully Automated Warehouses in 10 Years

Amazon workers' jobs are safe — for now.

"What happens when soulless artificial intelligence, devoid of feeling or emotion, is called upon to make moral or ethical choices on our behalf?"

Meet the rabbi fighting back against AI armageddon

Last Stand

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis wants to make sure that AI is built to serve, not conquer humanity, and wants to make sure important choices aren't automated.

/ Automation