Title: Humanoid Robots as Agents of Human Consciousness Expansion,
Abstract: The "Loving AI" project involves developing software enabling humanoid robots
to interact with people in loving and compassionate ways, and to promote
people' self-understanding and self-transcendence. Currently the project
centers on the Hanson Robotics robot "Sophia" -- specifically, on supplying
Sophia with personality content and cognitive, linguistic, perceptual and
behavioral content aimed at enabling loving interactions supportive of human
self-transcendence. In September 2017 a small pilot study was conducted,
involving the Sophia robot leading human subjects through dialogues and
exercises focused on meditation, visualization and relaxation. The pilot was an
apparent success, qualitatively demonstrating the viability of the approach and
the ability of appropriate human-robot interaction to increase human well-being
and advance human consciousness.