At the July UN Global Summit in Geneva, nine robots made their debut, including Ai-Da, the world's first AI-powered artist. The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin emphasized the need to engage with AI responsibly for a responsible future. Social robots are becoming increasingly integral to our world, and their potential contributions should be understood. The robots, which resembled humans, stood upright or sat and answered questions. Alongside Ai-Da, the world's first artist robot, were six other robots, such as Grace, a health robot, and Desdemona, a rock star robot. Grace, developed by Hanson Robotics and SingularityNET, is the most advanced nursing assistant robot globally. She can support people's health, provide educational services, assist persons with disabilities, reduce waste, contribute to resilient infrastructure, and promote social well-being. With a projected global shortage of over 13 million nurses, it is possible that robots like Grace could fill the gap in social care. Ai-Da, who emerged in February 2019, creates drawings and paintings using cameras in her eyes and a robotic arm. Known for challenging conventional notions of art and creativity, Ai-Da's work raises debates on the use and misuse of new technologies.

Similarly, cobots like Ai-Da may develop their own art or inspire human artists in collaborative creations. Nadine, created by the University of Geneva and modeled by Prof Nadia Magnenat Thalman, represents one of the most realistic cobots in the world. With a human appearance, natural skin and hair, and realistic hands, Nadine establishes eye contact and remembers past conversations, creating a comfortable and engaging interaction. Nadine can assist people with special needs, facilitate communication with family members, engage in digital platforms, and fill the void of companionship. The rise of cobots like Grace, Nadine, and Ai-Da offers potential solutions to societal gaps, particularly in the face of an aging population and healthcare crisis. By 2030, one in six people globally will be aged 60 or over, and by 2050, the number of individuals aged 60 or older will double, reaching 2. 1 billion. The scarcity of healthcare and social support systems necessitates the inclusion of cobots in our lives. Ethical and regulatory challenges surrounding human-cobot integration and safety risks must be addressed. Nonetheless, it is clear that cobots will play a significant role in our future, assisting in various tasks, promoting social interactions, and potentially becoming friends to many. The long-term societal implications warrant further discussion, which will be explored in a future article.