Algorithmic machines: From binary communication designs to human-robot interactions

Abstract

This article discusses aspects of future research in communication sciences related to a popular and omnipresent artefact of algorithmic machines, social robots. Social robots are defined in this article as physical entities or machines, which may resemble a human being or animal and are able to replicate certain human or life-like movements and functions. Experts predict that robots, just like AI, will replace a significant number of jobs in the near future, including non-industrial jobs such as robots working in offices or the service industry alongside human ‘co-workers’ (Brookfield Institute, 2016; Ford, 2015; Gunkel, 2018). Likewise, we may find more robots in our private lives, for example, replacing human care workers (Ishiguro, 2018; McGinn et al., 2020). Overall, the field of robotics, and particularly social robots, offers a broad range of research opportunities and exigencies for communication scientists. The aim of this conceptual paper is to provide a framework for the discussion of algorithms, social robots and communication sciences.