Robohub.org
 

MPs are told the word ‘robot’ is not derogatory, but only if it’s an intelligent one | Independent


by
25 November 2015



share this:

MPs have been told that calling an opponent “robot” is not a derogatory term – but only if they are referring to a “high functioning intelligent robot”. The bizarre row over whether the word was unparliamentary erupted during a debate on the renewal of Britain’s Trident nuclear deterrent, led by the SNP.  After John Woodcock, a pro-Trident Labour MP, launched a scathing attack on the SNP’s record on education and health in Scotland, SNP MPs attempted to intervene. 

Hallie Siegel’s insight:
More peanuts, please.




Hallie Siegel robotics editor-at-large
Hallie Siegel robotics editor-at-large

            AUAI is supported by:



Subscribe to Robohub newsletter on substack



Related posts :

Robot Talk Episode 163 – Robots helping people, with Aaron Edsinger

  25 Sep 2026
In the first episode of Robot Talk season 7, Claire chatted to Aaron Edsinger from Hello Robot about their Stretch robots that can help people with mobility issues live more independently.

An open source approach to physical AI from Intrinsic

  25 Sep 2026
Find out more about the capabilities of Intrinsic Core.

What’s coming up at #IROS2026?

  24 Sep 2026
Find out what the International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems has in store.

Robotics roadmaps from around the world spotlight of the month: China

China is targeting the next industrial revolution by doubling down on embodied AI and humanoid robotics, building directly on its vast manufacturing infrastructure.

Mars rovers give scientists a ground-level view of the red planet – peek inside their NASA control room

  21 Sep 2026
NASA created Curiosity to search for evidence of ancient habitable environments.

Reimagining robotics for sustainability

  18 Sep 2026
"Our ambition is not to simply make robots more sustainable; they must actively contribute to solving sustainability challenges."

Watch the ICRA keynote and plenary talks

  16 Sep 2026
If you missed the conference you can catch up on IEEE TV.


↑


AUAI is supported by:







Subscribe to Robohub newsletter on substack




 















©2026.05 - Association for the Understanding of Artificial Intelligence