News Report:
Artificial intelligence-driven robots are on the rise in Silicon Valley. If some industry experts are correct, they can help solve the global labor shortage problem. Companies such as Tesla, Amazon, Microsoft, and Nvidia have invested billions of dollars in so-called “humanoid” robots. These machines typically stand on two legs and are designed to perform tasks designed for humans. Currently, they are being deployed in warehouses. But supporters say that this potential goes far beyond fulfillment centers. These robots could eventually work alongside humans in homes and offices. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been one of the main advocates. The electric car manufacturer is betting on its Optimus robot, which Musk believes will “change the world to a larger degree than cars.” During the company’s first-quarter earnings call, Musk stated that Optimus could drive Tesla’s market value to $25 trillion, which would be “most of Tesla’s long-term value.” Amazon supports Agility Robotics and has deployed its Digit robot in fulfillment centers. According to an analysis by Goldman Sachs, the market for humanoid robots will expand to $38 billion over the next 20 years. The company predicts that these robots will become the next “must-have” device, similar to smartphones or electric cars. Goldman Sachs also states that humanoid robots could be “critical for manufacturing and hazardous work, but they also help with elderly care and fill labor shortages in factories.”
AI Enhancement
These humanoid robots have existed for decades. But due to recent advancements in artificial intelligence, the industry is experiencing renewed optimism. The same technology behind OpenAI’s ChatGPT enables robots to understand language and commands and decide how to act. These machines use computer vision and are trained in the real world, just like humans. Henrik Christensen, professor of computer science and engineering at the University of California, San Diego, told CNBC, “Robots are where artificial intelligence meets reality. This creates some very interesting new combinations that I don’t think we could have imagined even five years ago.” The global labor shortage is another key factor driving interest in humanoid robots. According to data from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, there are approximately 8.5 million job vacancies in the United States alone. This gap is especially severe in the manufacturing industry, with Goldman Sachs estimating a shortage of 500,000 workers, projected to increase to 2 million by 2030. Supporters argue that robots are filling monotonous and dangerous jobs. Jeff Cardenas, CEO and co-founder of robot startup Apptronic, said, “We’re starting to tackle what we call mundane, dirty, and dangerous tasks, which are the areas where we have a severe labor shortage today, where we don’t have people to do the work.” The competition is global. According to Stanford University’s Artificial Intelligence Index Report, China has taken the lead in the industry, surpassing Japan in 2013 as the world’s largest industrial robot installation country, currently accounting for over half of the total worldwide. Tom Andersson, Chief Analyst at Styleintelligence, stated, “The Chinese market is the largest in the world.” He added that the only Western company with a product similar to those produced in China is Amazon. “But Chinese companies are quickly catching up.” However, there are still obstacles. These machines are expensive, and there are safety concerns about allowing robots free rein in factories. “When it comes to widespread adoption, or even something similar to widespread adoption, I think we’re talking several years. Probably at least a decade,” Andersson said, “Sorry, Musk.” Watch the entire video to learn more about the rise of humanoid robots.
