Robotics, for better or for worse
United States President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order assuring the global dominance of the US in artificial intelligence through deregulation and the preemption of state AI laws. And just a week ago in Davos, Switzerland, global leaders grappled with a critical challenge: AI overregulation stifles innovation and economic growth, while underregulation invites safety risks and ethical dilemmas.
RELEVANTLY, I WATCHED ONLINE days ago a video of five robo-dogs dancing to the tune of Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” on “America’s Got Talent.” The synchronization and creativity were truly amazing. At first, they seemed like toys, but they were actually “physical AI”—the next major wave of AI-driven innovations that can perceive, understand, and act autonomously—nay, independently—in the real, physical world, not just in the digital space.
So, too, the world’s most advanced robotic technologies were featured at the 2026 Annual Consumer Electronics Show in Nevada, USA. Visitors at CES were stunned to witness something that would have been impossible years ago. Boston Dynamics, under Hyundai Motor Co., unveiled the latest on its humanoid robot named “Atlas.”
While many companies are developing humanoids, Atlas stands out for its 360 degrees sensing and certified safety system, allowing it to detect people and hazards reliably. It can work autonomously, share intelligence with other robots, replace its own batteries, and perform tasks ranging from carrying heavy objects to running, crawling, and even breakdancing.
Atlas was just one of the many exhibits at CES. AI and robotics advances in healthcare, energy, mobility, enterprise, entertainment, and smart homes were also showcased, moving from theory and digital space to practical, real-world applications that are seamlessly integrating into our lives.
The term AI has become ubiquitous in corporate meetings and organizational programs only recently. Yet, while many are still grasping and enjoying ChatGPT and its multifarious functions, the AI industry is already advancing to far more complexities than I can imagine. Truly, the pace of this innovation is both daunting and exciting.
THE ROBOT REVOLUTION IS INEVITABLE. The bots are both celebrated and seen as a threat, particularly by factory workers and labor unions. This is especially true because humanoids are on the brink of becoming more and more useful and commercially available. Whether they transform into modern-day’s greatest triumph or not depends entirely on the wisdom brought to their governance.
Meanwhile, Amazon has deployed over a million robots across its international operations, primarily for sorting, moving, and packaging items, some with advanced capabilities such as the sense of touch. These machines work around the clock and handily perform tasks unsafe for humans. Amazon has been reported to be working on humanoids for package delivery, procurement, and other operational functions.
Along with these advances, Amazon recently announced another round of layoffs—16,000 corporate roles—bringing total cuts to 30,000 since last year, the largest in its history. The future of its 1.5 million-strong workforce, 300,000 of whom work outside the US, is increasingly becoming uncertain. Similar trends are expected to affect many other companies that rely on repetitive, high-volume tasks.
In customer service, AI chatbots and assistants are increasingly taking over routine business process outsourcing work. Many Philippine BPO firms have adopted AI and robotic process automation. While automation boosts productivity and creates new roles in AI support, cybersecurity, analytics, and tech management, it also raises concerns about job displacement in a sector that employs over 1.6 million full-time workers who contribute significantly to the Philippine economy.
WHAT WE NEED IS ADAPTIVE GOVERNANCE—clear policies, equitable transitions, and upskilling programs to keep pace with rapid technological advances. The benefits of AI and bots are compelling, particularly in health care. I was even scheduled for a minimally invasive, robot-assisted spine surgery that had to be postponed to fully heal from a throat issue needed for safe intubation, an issue I raised with and answered by ChatGPT and confirmed by my competent surgeon.
Home robots named “Eggie, NEO, Isaac, and Memo” are now capable of performing household chores. Designed to be safe, responsive, and assistive, they can operate alongside people in shared spaces. The future is not coming; it is here. Robots are no longer just in factories; they are entering our homes. It is up to us to ensure they serve as partners in progress, not signals of human obsolescence.
As I reflect on life at 89 and beyond, I am both excited and contemplative about how the future will unfold amid these hi-tech advances. This is not science fiction; this is real civilization at work. To keep pace, we must all continue to upskill. At the same time, I remain mindful that technology is ethically neutral. But it amplifies human choices, for better or for worse.
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