Rice University researchers are featured in a Telemundo documentary on artificial intelligence (AI) that won a Lone Star Emmy Award in the “Environment/Science — Short Form or Long Form Content” category. Titled “La Era de la Inteligencia Artificial” and created by Jairo Gallego and edited by Oliver Lara, the documentary centers on Ameca, the world’s most advanced humanoid robot.
The Spanish-language documentary features an exclusive interview with Ameca described by Engineered Arts, the developing company, as the “world’s most advanced human shaped robot representing the forefront of human-robotics technology.”
Gallego’s conversation with Ameca is framed by a discussion of real-life contexts where AI is already demonstrating a potential for profound impact ⎯ from hospitality and transportation to education and content creation ⎯ while also touching on concerns about deepfakes, automation and the ethical challenges of AI development.
In the 18-minute production, Rice’s Rodrigo Ferreira, assistant teaching professor of computer science; Vicente Ordóñez-Román, associate professor of computer science; and computer science doctoral students Carlos Quintero and Paola Castante-Bonilla shared their perspectives on topics ranging from the risks of AI decision-making to the importance of critical thinking and transparency in designing these systems. Their contributions emphasized the need for responsible AI usage and equitable societal benefits as these technologies evolve.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to interview you and learn from you,” Gallego said in thanking the Rice researchers who helped with the project. “This award is for you and the important work you do every single day.”