Digit, a humanoid built by the US firm Agility Robotics, demonstrated how far AI has come in a few years by responding to voice commands - filtered through Google's Gemini AI model - to sift through a pile of coloured T-shirts and place them in a basket.
It wasn't a seamless demo, but the enthusiastic response to the display reflected the excitement about all things AI, nearly two years on from the launch of ChatGPT, that pervaded the exhibition halls at Europe's biggest annual tech conference.
Talk of a bust in the AI boom couldn't be heard over the shouts of encouragement for Digit as it pondered different shades of garment. If we're in an AI bubble, there was still evidence it was inflating in Lisbon.
Nonetheless, there were voices of caution too, on familiar themes such as safety, jobs and the climate, as AI comes to influence a huge range of industries. Here are some of the discussion points about AI from the event.
Job security A key debate around AI and employment centres on displacement and replacement. If millions of jobs are going to be displaced by AI in developed economies, will they be replaced by new roles for humans as the technology creates fresh opportunities?
On the displacement side, the possibility of entry-level jobs becoming casualties of displacement was raised often. Attenders talked about these jobs being affected in professional industries such as law, finance and even tech because AI tools, particularly so-called AI "agents" that can carry out tasks autonomously, will be able to do relatively simple work such as initial checking of contracts or handling queries from potential new clients.
Denne historien er fra November 16, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 16, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
The Filter Cast-iron alternatives to Le Creuset for less
Le Creuset's colourful pans have long topped the wishlists of amateur and professional cooks.
Money hacks How to find a pet-sitter you can trust
Unless you have family, a friend or a neighbour who can care for your pet when you're away, you'll need to find a pet-sitter you can trust.
Pensions An A to Z of how to save for your retirement
Everything you need to know to plan for your future and make the most of your finances. Rupert Jones and Hilary Osborne report
'A fork in the road' AI's bid to help on laundry days at Europe's tech summit
This year's Web Summit in Lisbon was all about artificial intelligence and a robot sorting laundry.
Brexit So how could Labour improve EU ties for the sake of growth?
The Bank of England governor, Andrew Bailey, said this week that Brexit had undermined the UK's economy, and urged the government to improve relations with the EU for the sake of growth.
Aviation Flying taxis: destined never to take off?
In a dreary November day in the Cotswolds, the VX4 - a cross between a plane and a helicopter - rose from an airport runway, hovered a few feet off the ground and set back down.
Property firm back in profit as workers return to offices
One of Britain's biggest property developers has provided further evidence of the return to office working, saying occupancy in its central London offices is at an all-time high and the value of its portfolio has returned to growth.
Analysis Summer of dark warnings from the Treasury may have cast a shadow on growth
It was hardly surprising that the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, declared herself \"not satisfied\" with the news that the UK's GDP expanded by a measly 0.1% in the three months to September.
Contracting GDP adds to German woes as general election looms
Germany's looming general election will be fought against the backdrop of a stagnating economy, the European Commission has forecast, with GDP expected to have contracted in 2024.
UK economy slows amid jitters over Labour budget
The UK economy slowed to a near-standstill in the third quarter as uncertainty around Labour's first budget and high interest rates weighed on business and consumer spending.
