Humanoid robots carrying signs such as ‘Please pay my electricity bill’ have been spotted begging on the streets of several Chinese cities, including Beijing, Chengdu and Fuzhou.
The robots, positioned like human beggars and displaying QR codes for donations, quickly went viral online.Their appearance sparked debate, with some people expressing concern about AI’s growing role in everyday life, while others questioned whether the scenes were genuine.
Because advanced humanoid robots are expensive, some observers believe the displays may be publicity stunts or artistic installations aimed at highlighting society’s evolving relationship with AI.