Robot dog that affects human behaviour tops list at Artificial Intelligence exhibition

Visitors to Liverpool’s World Museum have the opportunity to explore humanity’s relationship with Artificial Intelligence (AI) in a major exhibition in the city.

In its first UK showing outside London, AI: More than Human surveys the creative and scientific developments within AI through artworks and interactive experiences.

The far-reaching exhibition has attracted plenty of visitors but there is one item that has proven more popular than most: Aibo.

What is Aibo?

Aibo is short for artificial intelligence robot.

It is a robotic dog originally made by Sony in 1999, but visitors to the museum can interact with the new and updated version of Aibo which moves around, plays with toys and responds to commands.

World Museum tour guide Elizabeth Walls told Liverpool World that Aibo is the most popular exhibit and that it’s intriguing to see the way people interact with the robo-pet.

Ms Wall said: ‘Lots of families have been visiting and Aibao the robotic dog has been extremely popular. People are very struck by how much he seems like a dog.

“His mannerisms can trick you and it’s interesting to see visitors start to treat him like a real dog.”

What else is on show?

Curated by Barbican International Enterprises, the exhibition explores the complex relationship between humans and technology in the past, present and what we can expect in the future.

AI: More Than Human is divided into four sections, The Dream of AI, Mind Machines, Data Worlds and Endless Evolution.

The exhibition explores the possibilities in medicine, space exploration and also includes a dystopian, or utopian depending on your point of view, video game called 2065.

Based on a virtual island by London-based artist Lawrence Lek, the game is set in a future where work is taken care of by algorithms and people spend all day playing video games against AIs.

Visitors can look at three screens and use an Xbox 360 controller to enter the virtual world. Players can go through different portals to galleries at the Barbican in London, a virtual casino and even Singapore.

Anne Fahy, Head of World Museum said: “With so many opportunities for visitors to interact with the works it is an exhibition for curious minds of all ages who want to play experience and understand this ubiquitous technology.”

AI: More Than Human is on at the World Museum until October 2021.