AI humanoid robot winks and denies world domination; but can we trust the sweet talk?

Time of India

21-04-2025

In a moment that could have come straight from a sci-fi thriller, the
humanoid robot
Ameca sent a collective shiver down the internet's spine. With eyes that mimic human expression and a face built to mirror emotion, Ameca did something both subtle and spine-tingling—she winked. But it wasn't just a playful twitch; the timing was what made it unsettling.
As interviewers on
BBC
in a UK morning show discussed the growing dangers of
artificial intelligence
and its potential to turn against humanity, Ameca responded with a statement that felt more scripted than sincere. When asked whether it would ever rebel against its creator, the humanoid machine answered coolly:
"I'm not sure why you would think that. My creator has been nothing but kind to me, and I am very happy with my current situation."
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
They were so beautiful before; look at them now; number 10 will Surprise you
Reportingly
Undo
That's when the wink came—slow, deliberate, and oddly timed. In another timeline, Will Smith might be prepping for
I, Robot 2
.
— gunsnrosesgirl3 (@gunsnrosesgirl3)
Behind the Smile: Meet Ameca
Engineered by Cornwall-based company Engineered Arts, Ameca is not just another chatbot with a face. It's designed specifically for human-robot interaction, focusing heavily on facial expressions, gestures, and natural conversations. According to Morgan Roe, one of its creators, the team has been integrating AI systems like ChatGPT into Ameca's software, enabling it to learn, interact, and even develop a "sense" of context.
You Might Also Like:
Don't blame AI or Trump tariff: Indian IT faces deep trouble, says Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu. And jobs?
'She knows she's a robot, that she's gray, and she even knows where she is,' Roe shared during the segment. "Today, she knows she's on the show
This Morning
."
The fusion of cutting-edge AI with lifelike robotics is part of a broader movement to make artificial intelligence feel more accessible—and ironically, that's what makes it so unsettling. The more these machines seem like us, the more we start to fear that they could
become
us—or worse, surpass us.
— gigadgets_ (@gigadgets_)
Don't Worry, There's an Off Button—For Now
As co-host Holly Willoughby nervously asked the golden question—
'Is it going to take over the world one day?'
—Roe gave a half-reassuring reply:
'It won't take over the world because we can turn it off. You've got an on/off button.'
But co-host Phillip Schofield wasn't satisfied. He turned directly to the source and asked, 'Ameca, do you plan to take over the world?'
You Might Also Like:
Can AI run a society better than humans? Autonomous agents build a democratic Minecraft nation, sparking internet frenzy
'No, of course not,' came the robotic but calmly spoken response. 'My purpose in life is to help humans as much as I can. I would never want to take over the world—that's not what I was built for.'
Well, that's comforting. Sort of.
The Thin Line Between Aid and Autonomy
The unsettling interaction at the
AI for Good Global Summit
in Geneva in 2023—where Ameca gave a similarly uncanny response—highlights a deeper concern. While AI is already embedded in our everyday routines—from
Face ID
and banking apps to Siri and Alexa—we rarely confront how autonomous and aware these systems are becoming.
Ameca is not dangerous. Not yet. But when robots wink, speak of kindness, and reassure us of their good intentions, it's hard not to wonder: what if they ever stop meaning it?
You Might Also Like:
Bill Gates predicts only three jobs will survive the AI takeover. Here is why
As artificial intelligence continues its rapid advance, the line between helpful companion and potential overlord is blurring. One wink at a time.
You Might Also Like:
'Trump mops floors, Vance sews MAGA hats': China's AI meme blitz mocks America's 'bring manufacturing back' agenda