Watch: AI robot attacks' participant at Chinese festival
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A shocking incident at a festival in China has sparked heated debate about the safety of AI-powered robots. A viral video circulating on social media appears to show a humanoid robot moving erratically toward festival-goers before security guards intervene.
Some netizens claim the robot was attacking attendees, while others argue it was simply a malfunction.
What happened?
According to reports, the incident occurred at a festival in China, where a group of AI-powered robots was performing. Footage shared online shows one of the robots unexpectedly moving towards the crowd. While it remains unclear whether it attempted to hit people or simply stumbled due to a barricade, the situation escalated quickly, prompting security personnel to step in.
Event organizers described the incident as 'a simple robot failure' but acknowledged that the unexpected malfunction raised concerns about AI reliability. Authorities confirmed that the robot had passed safety tests prior to the event and that future measures will be taken to prevent such occurrences.
Concerns over AI safety
This is not the first time an AI-powered machine has caused unease. Similar incidents worldwide have fueled debates about whether AI can be safely integrated into public settings. Many worry that as robots become more autonomous, the risks of malfunctions—or even unintended aggression—could pose real dangers.
Social media reacts
The video has ignited online discussions, with many users voicing fears about the future of AI:
'We are getting closer and closer to a science fiction scenario.'
'This is just the beginning. Soon, AI will take over!'
'Sci-fi movies warned us about this!'
On platforms like Twitter (now X) and Reddit, users debated whether such incidents indicate a flaw in AI design or if fears are exaggerated.
AI's brighter side: Impressive performances
Despite the controversy, AI robots continue to impress. Earlier this year, 16 Unitree H1 humanoid robots performed a synchronized Yangko dance alongside human performers at China's Spring Festival Gala. While the performance was met with mixed reactions, it demonstrated AI's potential in entertainment.
As AI-powered robots become more common in public spaces, incidents like this festival malfunction raise critical questions about safety and ethical considerations. Is this a minor glitch, or a warning sign of AI's unpredictability? The debate continues.
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According to a 2024 World Bank report, only 20% of rural Pakistan currently has access to high-speed internet, and nearly 70% of rural youth lack the digital skills needed to participate in emerging tech sectors. Without serious intervention, the benefits of blockchain and Web3 are likely to be captured by urban elites, deepening the existing digital and economic divide. Initiatives like proposed blockchain training centers in Punjab and Sindh — which aim to equip 100,000 youth with relevant skills by 2030 — could be a crucial equaliser. But if these programs stall or fail to scale, rural communities will once again be locked out of the future. It's not just about infrastructure — it's about inclusion. A digital economy that doesn't invest in its most disconnected populations risks becoming a lopsided success story: shiny on the surface, but hollow at its core. The perils: a nation at risk of division However, several risks could undermine this vision. For one, coal-powered crypto mining could add an estimated 4–5 million tons of CO₂ emissions annually — on top of Pakistan's already staggering 90 million tons in 2023 — further exacerbating the country's severe air pollution crisis. According to a 2024 WHO estimate, smog-related illnesses contribute to nearly 10,000 premature deaths each year. Civil society voices have already begun raising concerns. But there have been voices which are critical and asking if we are choking for Bitcoin? This exactly is a reflection of growing public unease. Meanwhile, critics argue that favouring mining infrastructure over basic rural electrification is shortsighted, especially given that 70% of rural youth lack basic digital skills. History offers a warning: China's 2021 crypto mining ban led to a $10 billion investment loss, while Iran lost $500 million. With only 20% of rural Pakistan connected to the internet, the digital divide could widen into a full-blown development gap, leaving millions further behind. This is Pakistan's high-wire act: innovation versus fairness. If mining enriches Karachi while Balochistan stays dark, it's a recipe for unrest. The government must weave rural communities into this digital tapestry, or the threads will unravel. Seizing the moment, dodging the traps Pakistan's crypto bet could catapult it into the digital age, but the pitfalls are steep. Training 100,000 youth in blockchain and AI by 2030 could turn Pakistan's 60% under-30 population into a tech powerhouse. Sindh's 50,000 MW wind, 1,000 MW solar, and 104,000 MW hydro potential could make Pakistan a green mining leader, drawing ESG investors wary of coal's fallout. The Africa-2 cable positions Pakistan to outshine Singapore, but execution is everything. But access and connectivity are also important; the demand to have access to 5G technology in rural areas to close the 80% connectivity gap is also legitimate. Policies like solar microgrids for 500,000 homes and tax-funded tech academies to mirror India's IT boom. The structural pitfalls of this strategy are increasingly hard to ignore. Lack of transparency in resource allocation has already raised alarm, with energy policy critics questioning how decisions are made and who stands to benefit. But regarding who picks the winners highlights the public's growing scepticism about elite capture and favouritism in energy investments. Delaying a transition to renewables beyond 2030 doesn't just risk environmental fallout; it could expose Pakistan to future trade sanctions and global isolation as climate accountability becomes stricter. Continued coal reliance is already exacting a human toll. Moreover, sidelining rural regions from the digital economy risks cementing a digital caste system, where unequal access to infrastructure reinforces long-standing economic divides. To truly future-proof its development, Pakistan must commit to public audits of energy investments, set a firm green energy deadline for 2030, and prioritise expanding 5G coverage to at least 50% of rural areas by 2028. Without these structural reforms, the current vision may end up being more of a gamble than a strategy — one that places the country's environmental, economic, and social future at considerable risk. Power for all, not just the blockchain Pakistan's 2,000 MW crypto venture could mint wealth, spark jobs, and plant the nation on the global tech map. But in a country where power cuts once defined life, every megawatt diverted to miners must answer to the people. By racing to renewables, training rural youth, and embracing transparency, Pakistan can make this a national triumph, not an urban elite's windfall. The stakes are sky-high, and the world's watching: will Pakistan light up its future or leave its people in the shadows? Ali Asad Sabir is working as project manager at Mahbub ul Haq research centre at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) All facts and information are the sole responsibility of the author
