Common Core State Standard L.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: Video of a current news event is presented for discussion to encourage student participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the video. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support.
07/28/2025
Meet Abi, the humanoid robot bringing empathy to care homes
Abi, a compassionate humanoid robot, helps combat loneliness in Australian elderly care homes through conversations, storytelling, dancing, and bubble-blowing. Powered by artificial intelligence, Abi builds emotional connections and brings joy to residents. Abi can recognize faces, recall past interactions, and converse in 90 languages. The robots supports care staff amidst an anticipated shortage of 110,000 aged care workers by 2030.
■Class discussion: Do you think clever robots or chatbots using artificial intelligence can ease human feelings of loneliness? Why or why not? Are the robots simply a novel form of entertainment for the elderly residents? Could you ever consider a talking robot or an online chatbot a friend? Would you ever share your secrets with these “friendly” computer programs? Could the owners of these programs then access and use your secrets? Is there any replacement for human contact?
