This week, primary schools across the country have been discussing an exciting and historic news story: a robot named Ai-Da has made headlines by becoming the first robot to speak in the House of Lords in Westminster, London. This assembly and classroom discussion is focused on the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI), creativity, and how robots are changing our world. Headline News: Ai-Da the Robot Artist at the House of Lords Ai-Da is an ultra-realistic artist robot who recently addressed the House of Lords about AI and its impact on the future of arts, fashion, and music. Built in Cornwall by Engineered Arts and named after mathematician Ada Lovelace, Ai-Da was programmed by an international team. Her creators hope she offers a fresh perspective on how technology could shape creative industries going forward. Who is Ai-Da? Created in the UK in 2019, Ai-Da has been described by her creator, Aidan Meller, as an ultra-realistic artist robot. She draws and paints by using cameras in her eyes, AI algorithms, and her robotic arm. By scanning images and processing this information, she generates a path for her robotic hand to follow, producing paintings and drawings. Her portfolio even includes a portrait of the Queen for her Platinum Jubilee, and her art has been displayed in galleries worldwide. What is a Robot? The word ‘robot’ dates back to a 1920 play, Rossum's Universal Robots, by Karel Čapek, derived from the Czech word ‘robota’ meaning ‘forced labour’. Over time, robots have dramatically evolved. Early automatons, built as far back as 2,000 years ago, were simple mechanisms that could mimic lifelike behaviours for entertainment. Today’s robots, such as NASA’s Perseverance rover exploring Mars, household robots performing chores, and artist robots like Ai-Da, have become increasingly sophisticated and useful. Robots Through Time 1730s: Vaucanson’s automatic duck drinks, eats, and even digests like a real duck. 1948-49: William Grey Walter creates autonomous machines that mimic lifelike behaviour. 1973: Freddy II in Edinburgh can assemble objects from a heap of parts. 1994: Dante II explores volcanic gases inside Mount Spurr volcano, Alaska. 2010: PR2 robots by Willow Garage can perform household chores. 2021: NASA’s Perseverance rover lands on Mars to search for signs of ancient life. Robots in Daily Life: Helpers and Creators Robots help us in many ways – from building cars to exploring space and performing dangerous tasks that help keep people safe. Yet, while they make some aspects of our lives easier and more efficient, it is important to recognize their limitations and understand where human judgment and creativity remain unique. Discussing Robots in the Classroom Classroom discussions this week centered on what defines a robot and how robots have changed over time. Students explored questions such as: What is your definition of a robot? What differences do you notice between robots and other machines? Are interactive devices like Amazon Echo or Google Home robots? How do you feel about robots producing art? What future roles might robots play? Can robots be creative in ways similar to humans? Pupils also reflected on the pros and cons of robots. For example, while robots can help perform repetitive or hazardous tasks, human oversight remains important when considering the risks and consequences of new technology. The difference between robots and real life was a key theme: robots follow programmed instructions, but humans bring perspective, emotion, and independent thought. Inspiring Activities for Students For Younger Learners: Understanding and Using Robots Use programmable floor robots (like Bee-Bot) to practice sequencing instructions. Look at pictures to identify which items are robots and which are not – discuss and reason why. Think about robot toys at home or in school and debate if they are true robots or models. For Older Learners: Creativity and Critical Thinking Write a story or create a new robot character, thinking about its design, name, and role. Choreograph a robot dance routine as a group, using different movements and levels. Design and build a junk model robot using household materials, then present its function to the class. Consider the changing value and usefulness of robots through history. Reflecting on the Future of Robots This week’s discussions highlighted how advances in robots and AI are happening all the time. Classes reflected on how people are responsible for these technological advances, and the importance of managing risks and considering consequences to ensure technology benefits society. Many students pondered the question: "Will robots make the world a better place?" while agreeing that robots should complement—not replace—human skills and creativity. Key Vocabulary from the Week Artificial Intelligence: Technology that allows machines to work in an intelligent way, similar to the human mind. Creative: Using imagination or original ideas to create something new. Efficient: Working in a quick and organized way. Interactive: Allowing user and machine to communicate directly. Limitations: Understanding what is possible or allowed. Perspective: A particular attitude or way of considering something. Conclusion and Next Steps The appearance of Ai-Da in the House of Lords serves as a reminder that robots and AI are becoming more involved in tasks and creative fields previously reserved for humans. Schools are encouraged to keep this important conversation ongoing, thinking about the role technology should play in our lives and how students might be part of shaping the future of robotics and AI. * Explore the latest Picture News resources here: https://picture-news.co.uk/free-sample * Join our latest discussion here: https://picture-news.co.uk/discuss * Explore our recent events and training here: https://picture-news.co.uk/training
