Robots protest rampant AI in Poland

Around 30 robots took to the streets of Warsaw, waving flags, playing protest slogans and marching in circles outside Poland’s digital affairs ministry. The demonstration called for regulation of artificial intelligence and robotisation.

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The robots present here are meant to show that this technology is already a reality

Organised by Democratism, the protest featured bipedal humanoids and dog-like quadrupeds. Loudspeakers played messages including “Defend workplaces”, “Time for rules” and “Don’t wait, regulate”. The initiative says it wants to open a debate about how AI and robots affect the labour market.

“The robots present here are meant to show that this technology is already a reality,” Agibot A3, an AI-powered humanoid robot, told AFP. Organiser Grzegorz Kulis said the demonstration aimed to draw attention to the possible replacement of people by humanoid robots and artificial intelligence in cognitive work.

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Defend workplaces

“If we don’t react now, we may soon have a problem,” Kulis said, calling for rules to protect workers. He said the robots’ ability to move freely and take part in a simulated protest showed how quickly the technology was advancing.

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If we don’t react now, we may soon have a problem

Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski visited the demonstration and spoke with Kulis. “Uncontrolled (AI) models, implemented into humanoids that will also keep evolving as robotisation moves forward, are a major problem,” Gawkowski said. In July, President Karol Nawrocki signed a law proposed by the ministry to implement the EU’s AI Act in Poland. The law created a national authority to enforce existing European regulations.

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Uncontrolled (AI) models, implemented into humanoids that will also keep evolving as robotisation moves forward, are a major problem