By Eve Herold – Time – Ideas • Technology –
When people hear the words “social engineering,” they usually think of the supposed nefarious designs of government or an opposing political party. These days, there’s a general sense of social upheaval brought on by some invisible force, and we’re anxious to blame someone. I can’t help feeling that, to some extent, we’re tilting at windmills while the real source of social engineering is in our pockets, on our laps, in a myriad of devices and soon, highly lifelike social robots for the home.
Robot dog “Spot” is presented at a press event at the freight station in Bischofsheim, Germany for digital maintenance of freight cars. The walking robot is equipped with sophisticated cameras, sensors and AI to identify the wagons. Photo credit: Jörg Halisch—dpa/ Getty Images