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 integrate human-centred values to complement our experiences.
When I reflect on the rapid progress in AI and robotics, I feel both excitement and caution. These technologies have enormous potential to reshape industries and improve daily life. Yet, they also pose a challenge: how do we ensure they serve humans in meaningful ways?
How can we design robots that not only perform tasks but also respect human values, emotions, and cultural contexts?
Why Human-Centred Values Matter
Responsible AI development in robotics should follow human-centric principles, including empathy, inclusivity, cultural awareness, and purpose-driven design. It is not enough to make robots technically functional or efficient. They must align with what matters to individuals and society.
Consider healthcare robots. Their purpose is not only precision or automation. They must also build trust, understand patient needs, and support emotional well-being.
A robot that can recognise and respond to human feelings, respect cultural differences, and prioritise societal good shows how technology can complement human experiences.
Designing Robots with Meaning
Integrating human-centred values requires thoughtful design and active stakeholder engagement. Just as education encourages learners to reflect on concepts like reasoning, collaboration, and fairness, robotics designers must reflect on assumptions and societal impacts.
Practical steps include forming multidisciplinary teams, collaborating with diverse communities, and embedding continuous feedback into robotic systems. These measures help create systems that are functional, meaningful, and aligned with human well-being.
AI and Human Agency
AI itself can support this process. Tools can track how concepts like trust or empathy evolve as humans interact with robots. They can show how ideas develop through reflection and dialogue, similar to learning frameworks in education.
Ultimately, responsibility rests on researchers, designers, and policymakers. We must steer technology toward transparency, inclusivity, and resilience. Prioritising human agency and ethics ensures robots perform efficiently and positively impact society.
Towards a Human-Centred Robotics Ecosystem
A human-centred approach demands systems that are adaptable, transparent, and capable of ongoing ethical reflection. We must ask: how can we ensure advanced systems serve diverse communities and uphold shared human values?
Participatory design practices and reflective dialogues are key. They ensure robots support human purpose, connection, and societal well-being, beyond technological novelty.
Creating Systems that Empower Humans
Embedding human-centred values in AI and robotics is an ongoing journey, but it is essential.
Responsible robotics requires technical excellence and a commitment to meaning, values, and ethics. It involves creating systems that empower humans, respect diversity, and help build a more equitable society.
The question remains: how can the global community better integrate human values into the design and deployment of tomorrow’s robots?
