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PETA wants to replace Punxsutawney Phil with an animatronic AI:
When we imagine the future of artificial intelligence, we tend to think of the technology making most human jobs obsolete. But if PETA has its way, an AI could also take over for the world's most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil. In a letter signed by PETA founder and president Ingrid Newkirk, the organization calls on the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, the group that takes care of the world-famous woodchuck, to allow the rodent to retire and let a robot like Sony's adorable Aibo dog take over the job of predicting the weather.
"Using technologically advanced electromechanical devices such as animatronics instead of live animals is more popular than ever," wrote Newkirk. "We even have the technology to create an animatronic groundhog with artificial intelligence (AI) that could actually predict [PETA's emphasis, not Engadget's] the weather."
The way the group sees it, not only would an AI be better at estimating when the winter will end, but it would also attract an entirely new generation of visitors to the western Pennsylvanian town. "Today's young people are born into a world of terabytes, and to them, watching a nocturnal rodent being pulled from a fake hole isn't even worthy of a text message," Newkirk said. "Ignoring the nation's fast-changing demographics might well prove the end of Groundhog Day."
(Score: 4, Funny) by DannyB on Monday February 03 2020, @09:41PM (1 child)
Animatronics doesn't do justice to the tradition. It takes the central character out of it.
Not only do animatronic animals need maintenance, but they would emit toxic fumes when they are cooked for a meal.
People love real animals. Especially when they are not over cooked.
PETA = People Eating Tasty Animals
Don't allow them to take the tasty animals away.
The lower I set my standards the more accomplishments I have.
(Score: 2) by jdavidb on Monday February 03 2020, @09:52PM
Groundhog Day used to mean something in this town. They used to pull the hog out, and they used to EAT it. You're hypocrites, all of you!
ⓋⒶ☮✝🕊 Secession is the right of all sentient beings