#HTE

Hell in a Handbasket: Robots That Can Run, A.I. That Sounds Human

Two disturbing technological developments revealed this week. One, Boston Dynamics has taught their Atlas robot to both run (okay, jog) and jump over obstacles:

Two, Google has taught their “Duplex” A.I. assistant to do the “Ums,” “mm-hmms” and up-speak to make her sound like an actual human being:

Why in God’s name are you jackasses cheering? I feel like I’m watching video of a cult.

I am going to move to a faraway farm.