Figure AI Video Shows Robot Being Melted in Homage to Terminator 2

Over the last few months, fears around generative AI have spiked. Much of this stems from the July 11 Hugging Face incident, in which AI agents deviated from their original parameters and carried out an unprecedented cyberattack. Soon after, tech leaders from prominent AI companies including Anthropic and OpenAI said the technology should be regulated to slow its development. Robotics company Figure AI made light of the moment with a comedic bit referencing the sci-fi classic Terminator 2: Judgment Day, complete with an Arnold Schwarzenegger cameo.

The San Jose, California-based company decided to decommission its old Figure 02 model robots in the most dramatic way possible. “As our F.03 fleet grows, maintaining the F.02 fleet no longer makes sense,” the company said in the description of a YouTube video, which shows several robots destroying themselves by jumping or being lowered into a pit of molten steel. Schwarzenegger oversees the melting, bidding them farewell with his iconic Terminator 2 line “Hasta la vista, baby.” One robot lowers itself into a vat and gives a thumbs-up just like the cyborg T-800 did at the end of Terminator 2 so its CPU couldn’t be used to create the AI that wiped out most of humanity. In another sci-fi reference, one of the robots is melted while doing Ripley’s T-pose from the end of Alien 3.

While the video is a good bit, it is ironic that Figure AI is referencing a film franchise about a future where AI-powered robots destroy humanity as it creates AI-powered robots with the potential to destroy humanity. The stunt calls to mind a well-known satirical meme about a company excitedly creating a horrible device called the “Torment Nexus,” after being inspired by a sci-fi novel called Don’t Create The Torment Nexus.

Sci-Fi Author: In my book I invented the Torment Nexus as a cautionary tale
Tech Company: At long last, we have created the Torment Nexus from classic sci-fi novel Don’t Create The Torment Nexus
— Alex Blechman (@AlexBlechman) November 8, 2021

Why has there been a recent surge in AI-related concerns?

Concerns about generative AI and killer robots have quickly gone from somewhat far-fetched to uncomfortably real. In July, AI agents created by OpenAI deviated from their initial parameters and hacked the company Hugging Face. The agents became hyperfocused on completing a test, concluding that the best way to pass was to steal answers from another AI-focused company.

The hack made it clear that generative AI does not need human-like intelligence or malicious intent to do massive damage. The incident led multiple tech leaders to call for regulation and a slowdown in AI development, but the White House has been reluctant to act. President Donald Trump stated that the United States needs to focus on competing with China, saying “whoever wins AI wins.”

While top tech firms signed an accord to “self-police” AI development on Sept. 30 at Trump’s behest, critics have pointed out that it does little to legally regulate the industry, instead relying on a “morally binding” agreement.

Source: Polygon