On October 21, IESF Academy welcomed over sixty participants for an exclusive webinar led by Fiona Passantino, a recognized expert in artificial intelligence and human skills. The session, “The Robots are Coming: Embodied AI, Sentience and Consciousness,” offered a timely look at how robots are moving from the realm of science fiction into our daily lives and workplaces.
Embodied AI and the Future of Work
Fiona Passantino began by inviting the audience to reflect on their own roles and motivations at work, setting the stage for a discussion that bridged technology and humanity. She explained how embodied AI — artificial intelligence integrated into physical robots — is rapidly becoming a reality. These robots are no longer limited to factories or research labs. They are increasingly present in warehouses, homes, and care facilities, learning from their environments and from each other.
This development is particularly relevant given the current global workforce shortages. Recent figures show that sixty-five percent of European companies are experiencing an acute shortage of talent. In the United States, there are one and a half vacancies for every job seeker, while in Singapore, there are nearly two vacancies for every available candidate. As populations age and the demand for care and manual labor rises, robots are increasingly seen as a practical solution to fill these gaps.
Societal Perceptions and Human Qualities
Throughout the session, Fiona engaged the audience with interactive polls. The results revealed that while many are open to the idea of robots assisting with elder care, there is more hesitation when it comes to childcare. This nuance highlights the complex relationship between trust, technology, and the deeply human aspects of care.
The presentation also demystified how AI works, explaining how algorithms, parameters, and vast datasets enable machines to process information and make decisions. Modern AI models are beginning to resemble the human brain in their reasoning abilities, though much of their decision-making remains opaque — even to their creators. Interestingly, only about one percent of AI’s decisions are fully understood, compared to five percent for humans.
Ethics, Emotions, and the Road Ahead
As AI evolves from a productivity tool to something more akin to a colleague, new questions arise for HR professionals and business leaders. What rights should be granted to AI entities that display autonomy or even emotions? Fiona cited a recent case where public outcry led to the reinstatement of an AI model, illustrating the growing complexity of our relationship with intelligent machines.
The global race in robotics is accelerating, with countries like China making significant strides in both physical capabilities and real-world applications. Robots such as Boston Dynamics’ Atlas and the Figure series are already demonstrating impressive feats, from warehouse logistics to rescue operations.
Yet, for all their promise, these technologies come with challenges. The environmental impact of AI is considerable, with resource consumption far exceeding that of traditional methods. Fiona encouraged the audience to remain mindful of sustainability, even as we embrace innovation.
Perhaps most importantly, the session reminded everyone that certain human qualities, such as fine motor skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to connect, remain difficult for machines to replicate. As robots become more present in our lives, these uniquely human strengths will only grow in value.
Closing Remarks
We would like to thank Fiona Passantino for sharing her valuable insights on embodied AI, sentience, and consciousness. Our appreciation also goes out to all IESF partners and their colleagues for their active participation and thoughtful engagement during this webinar. Their involvement contributed greatly to the relevance and depth of the discussion.