Back to the conventional expectations on AI. The belief is that enough computational power could make a robot as smart as a human, that is, that human intelligence consists of computational processes. This might be true, or it may not, in any case it presupposes the aim for replacement or equation of humans by machines, computers or robots. But is this aim relevant at all? Or does it rather conceal the occurrence of AI and robots around us just like the tin man metaphor does?

As McLuhan says, technologies are enhancements of the human body. The word technology originates from the greek words “techny” (craft) and “logos” (reason), which implicates the necessary relationship (of meaning) the object has with humans. When thus considered closely related, but inseparable from human existence we can develop a different perspective on robots or AI. Instead of the degree of replacing/imitating human beings, we can also value these technologies by the intenseness of the relationship with the human functioning they enhance and the level of interaction with it. To put it in other words, if they are near, on or in the body.

If we look at the primary applications and aspirations with robots they were often aimed at stand alone processes in the surroundings of humans (near the body). Robots were developed to do routine jobs like transport, floor cleaning and security patrol. This phase was very much hardware related. All kinds of guiding infrastructure were developed together with the operational machines.

Next came a phase that focused more on the interaction with humans and their actions. Technology was the developed to stand in close relation, but still external to humans (on the body). Software is the main issue for this purpose, as it enables machines to interact with human behaviour. The mobile phone is good example of a technology we keep close and have an intense relationship with.

When technology becomes merged with the human body it becomes wetware. Pacemakers and implants are clear examples of technologies that become part of human functioning. The boundaries between technology and humans are blurred and they function as a whole or integrated.