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The Court Jester Whose Wit Saved His Life

How a court jester slapped the king's butt, then brilliantly convinced him not to kill him Triboulet served as court jester under King Francis I, who ruled France from 1515 to 1547 . Triboulet's quick humor rescued him from Francis I's deadly wrath, not once, but twice. Court jesters hold a unique place in history. Playing the fool for kings and queens meant they were always in close proximity to royalty, but so very far from their rank and station. Comedians often like to push boundaries, but that can be a dangerous business when your job is to entertain the peope who have executioners at their beck and call. Especially when you forget your place—or purposely ignore it, as the case may be—and playfully smack the reigning monarch square on the behind. That little whoopsie was the claim to fame of Triboulet, a court jester who served King Francis I in 16th-century France. But it was how he got away with slapping the king on the butt and living to tell about it that earne...
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World's most advanced' humanoid robot was asked to describe its 'nightmare' AI scenario

World's most advanced' humanoid robot was asked to describe its 'nightmare' AI scenario

The 'world's most advanced' humanoid robot was asked to describe its 'nightmare' AI scenario and its answer was harrowing.

The AI-powered robot known as 'Ameca' stunned audiences at the International Conference on Robotics and Automation symposium in London last week with her eerie response to the question.

And given her answer, it's clear that not even machines are safe from existentialist dread we're all plagued with.

See what she had to say here:

Like something straight out of a science fiction cautionary tale or a Black Mirror episode - it's clear that even robots are fearful of what the future may hold.

Using Open AI's ChatGPT, the 'world' most advanced humanoid' explained exactly what entails when it comes to her terrifying 'nightmare AI scenario'.

Will Johnson, CEO of Cornwall-based Engineered Arts, the UK's leading designer and manufacturer of humanoid entertainment robots and the company responsible for making Ameca, asked the gadget to imagine her 'AI nightmare scenario'.

Complete with thinking bodily movement, facial expressions and blinking, Ameca responded: "The most nightmare scenario I can imagine with AI and robotics is a world where robots have become so powerful that they are able to control or manipulate humans without their knowledge."

Ameca is the 'world's most advanced' humanoid robot. Credit: YouTube/Engineered Arts


Continuing on with a hauntingly lifelike expression across her face, the robot added: "This could lead to an oppressive society where the rights of individuals are no longer respected."

She was then asked whether she reckons 'we’re in danger of that happening now' to which she replied: "Not yet."

Ameca did, however, highlight: "But it is important to be aware of the potential risks and dangers associated with AI and robotics.

"We should take steps now to ensure that these technologies are used responsibly in order to avoid any negative consequences in the future."

Wise words indeed.

And this isn't the first time Ameca has freaked people out with her unsettlingly human and realistic facial expressions.

People have been left spooked by her facial expressions. Credit: YouTube/Engineered Arts


In a clip demonstrating the robot's ability to complete a whole host of tasks including showing off its impressive multi-lingual skills.

Ameca is said to be the 'future face of robotics' with Engineered Arts' official site reading: "Designed specifically as a platform for development into future robotics technologies, Ameca is the perfect humanoid robot platform for human-robot interaction."

The robot is able to show-off such hyper-realistic facial expressions due to the 17 different motors working inside her head, and it's clear she's left people pretty freaked out by the 'humanoid' uncanniness.

"We are basically digging our own grave," claimed one YouTube user.

While a second sarcastically penned: "How could this possibly go wrong?"

"This technology could be dangerous in the future if the robot's decide they don't like their creators," another pointed out.

A final user pretty much summed up the whole thing in a single sentence: "This is amazing and scary at the same time."

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