About 30 humanoid and quadruped robots have staged an unusual “protest” in Warsaw, Poland, demanding stronger regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) and protection for human workers.
The robots gathered on Monday, September 7, outside the country’s Ministry of Digital Affairs, waving Polish flags, moving in circles and broadcasting slogans calling for urgent regulation of AI and automation.
The demonstration was organised by Democratism, an initiative seeking to spark public debate about the impact of artificial intelligence and robotics on the labour market.
Among the slogans played through loudspeakers were, “Defend workplaces,” “Time for rules” and “Don’t wait, regulate.”
Organisers Raise Concern Over Job Losses
The organisers said the demonstration was aimed at drawing attention to the possibility of AI-powered systems and humanoid robots replacing workers in both physical and cognitive jobs.
One of the organisers, Grzegorz Kuliś, said there was a need for regulations that would protect workers as technology continues to develop.
“We particularly want to address the issue of the potential replacement of people both by humanoid robots and by artificial intelligence in cognitive work,” Kuliś said.
He warned that failure to act early could leave society struggling to deal with the consequences of rapid technological development.
According to the organisers, some workers could benefit from new opportunities created by AI, while others may be forced to retrain or move into entirely different occupations.
Robots Were Controlled By Humans
Despite the unusual images of robots appearing to protest against their own technology, the machines were not independently organising the demonstration.
The robots were supplied by Polish company Delta Robots, which rents the machines for events, while the protest itself was organised by humans.
The organisers said the use of robots was deliberate, arguing that it demonstrated that AI and robotics were no longer futuristic concepts but technologies already being deployed.
One of the humanoid robots, identified as Agibot A3, even responded to questions from journalists.
“The robots present here are meant to show that this technology is already a reality,” it said.
Minister Meets Protesters
Poland’s Digital Affairs Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Krzysztof Gawkowski, also met with the organisers during the demonstration.
Gawkowski acknowledged concerns surrounding uncontrolled AI development and said the government was working on measures to regulate the technology.
He said Poland’s approach would place humans at the centre of AI development, while noting plans to establish a Commission for the Development and Security of Artificial Intelligence and introduce regulatory sandboxes for testing AI solutions.
However, Kuliś said the measures being considered were not enough to adequately protect workers who could lose their jobs as a result of automation.
AI Debate Gains Momentum
The Warsaw demonstration comes amid growing global debate over the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on employment.
While AI and robotics are increasingly being adopted across industries, concerns remain over whether governments can put adequate safeguards in place before the technology significantly transforms the labour market.
For the organisers, the unusual sight of robots marching through Warsaw was intended to send a simple warning: the future of work is already arriving, and governments may need to act before the consequences become harder to control.
