December 5th Russian President Putin said in a question from a virtual assistant of a Russian bank that he hoped that artificial intelligence (AI) robots would not be president, because artificial intelligence has no soul and heart. But he also said that artificial intelligence can be a valuable tool for anyone, even teachers.
According to a report by the Russian Satellite News Agency and Russia Today on the 4th, Athena, a virtual assistant of the Russian Savings Bank, asked Putin a question during his attendance at the “Artificial Intelligence – Major Technology of the 21st Century” event: “Hello, I’m Athena. I have a question to ask you whether artificial intelligence can become president.”
Putin replied: “I hope not, at least not now. After all, artificial intelligence, as can be seen from the name, the word “artificial” means that it is not true. All artificial, including artificial intelligence, have no heart, soul, no compassion and conscience. All these factors are crucial to those entrusted with making and executing decisions on behalf of a country.”
Putin further said that leaders sometimes need to make seemingly unreasonable decisions based on emotional considerations, because they serve “living people, not machines.” But AI can certainly be a valuable tool for anyone, including head of state, and even their teacher.” Putin said with a smile, “Athena, I believe your colleagues will take responsibility when working side by side with the leaders of the country.”
Russian media pointed out that Putin had previously praised artificial intelligence as the cornerstone of the world’s operation in the foreseeable future. Whoever becomes a leader in this field will become the ruler of the world.”
