Robots with a black exterior are the latest victims of racism, according to an article recently published by CNN.
In a study conducted by the Human Interface Technology Laboratory in New Zealand and published by the country’s University of Canterbury, researchers suggested people perceive physically human-like robots to have a race and therefore apply racial stereotypes to white and black robots.
According to the article:
“The bias against black robots is a result of bias against African-Americans,” lead researcher Christoph Bartneck explained to The Next Web. He told CNN, “It is amazing to see how people who had no prior interaction with robots show racial bias towards them.”
The researchers think this is an issue that needs to be addressed. “If robots are supposed to function as teachers, friends, or carers, for instance, then it will be a serious problem if all of these roles are only ever occupied by robots that are racialized as White,” according to the study.
CNN shared the article on Twitter along with the question: “Have you ever notice the popularity of white robots? The reason for these shades of technological white may be racism, according to new research.”
No doubt the best part of all of this was the Twitter reacts:
Have you noticed the white lettering inside the CNN logo? https://t.co/Yfjd7BLZez
— CreationTips (@Creationtips) August 2, 2019
I've actually noticed the popularity of a LOT of white things!! Toilet paper, baby diapers, napkins, envelopes, paper, kleenex, aspirin, walls, mayonnaise, cauliflower, plastic bags, I even see WHITE CARS……We're surrounded by it!!!! HELP!!!!!!!
— Donita (@DonitaAKASlick) August 1, 2019
I've actually noticed the popularity of a LOT of white things!! Toilet paper, baby diapers, napkins, envelopes, paper, kleenex, aspirin, walls, mayonnaise, cauliflower, plastic bags, I even see WHITE CARS……We're surrounded by it!!!! HELP!!!!!!!
— Donita (@DonitaAKASlick) August 1, 2019
"It is racist to not like the night time as much as day time." -CNN
— Styxhexenhammer666 (@Styx666Official) August 1, 2019
"It is racist to not like the night time as much as day time." -CNN
— Styxhexenhammer666 (@Styx666Official) August 1, 2019
Finally, someone said it. Can you do toilets next week? I've long felt as I'm peeing that my toilet is bigoted against me.
— Rachel 🐶💙🇺🇸 (@RaychelTania) August 1, 2019
Since robots are slaves, CNN thinks they should be black, not white. https://t.co/Gqyhyb8UXQ
— William Strunk, Jr. (@cdrusnret) August 1, 2019
CNN finally reveals the plot to I,Robot. No wonder they tried to kill Will Smith. They were racist robots.
😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/41OpUhdUHJ— Dangerfield (@aztattude) August 1, 2019
Raise your hand if you think we should replace @CNN with a robot. Any color robot will do.
— Rich Zeoli (@Richzeoli) August 1, 2019
