The De Montfort University (DMU) in Leicester has recently developed an artificial intelligence (AI) programme to help people combat loneliness.
Indeed, the robot is able to judge people’s moods via cameras and microphones. With these, the AI-based programme can monitor a subject and their immediate environment as well as respond via a projected face.
The team of researchers is then seeking volunteers to interact with the robot so that it can learn subtler expressions and know how to respond to various emotions. The goal is for the robot to communicate using non-verbal methods and learn to read people even with masks for instance.
In the long run, the AI will also be able to speak and become a company for people so it can reduce loneliness and increase the desire to communicate.