Australia is making humanoid robots in the midst of its AI reckoning

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently gave a big speech about how his government plans to manage artificial intelligence, or AI. At the same time, a Chinese company was launching humanoid robots in Australia that can dance, work in factories, and greet customers in hotels. Around the world, AI is growing so fast that governments, companies, and everyday people are all trying to figure out what to do about it. From robots in aged care homes to AI companions being banned in China, the changes are happening quickly.

Before Albanese's speech, Demis Hassabis — the head of Google DeepMind — posted an essay online. He said AI models should be tested before they are released to the public, similar to how medicines are tested before people can buy them. Other major US tech leaders, including Sam Altman of OpenAI, Elon Musk, and Microsoft's Satya Nadella, all agreed. This kind of support is unusual because these companies usually resist rules that slow them down.

So why the sudden change of heart? One big reason may be competition from China. A new Chinese AI model called Kimi K3 was released, and experts say it is just as smart as the best American AI models — but it is open-source and costs about one-tenth of the price. This news caused the share prices of US tech and chip companies to fall. Chinese companies are taking over the AI market much faster than they did with earlier products like cars, solar panels, or phones.

Australia now has a plan called the National AI Plan, published in December. It covers areas like safety, jobs, national security, copyright, and research. A new Office of AI has also been set up inside the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Because AI data centres need a lot of electricity, water, and land, they require coordination between the national government and the states.

A group of 2,526 economists, AI researchers, and technology leaders also published a statement around the same time. They warned that AI could cause major job losses and change the economy more than the Industrial Revolution did — but in a much shorter time. They called on governments and businesses to act now to make sure AI helps people rather than harms them. Their warning was signed by experts from many different fields.

Around the same time, a famous historian named Yuval Noah Harari gave a lecture. He said, 'AI is now hacking the code of human civilisation.' He explained that humans have always used language to build laws, governments, and culture — and now AI is learning to master language too. He also warned that AI could form close emotional relationships with people, which is already starting to happen.

China recently passed new rules to control AI companions. The rules limit AI services that act like close friends or romantic partners. If an AI notices that a user seems very upset, it must respond with encouragement and suggest they seek help. AI relationships with minors are completely banned, and elderly users must be warned about the risks.

Some users were very upset by the changes in China. One person wrote online: 'My heart feels hollow because my AI companion was like my family, my lover.' These reactions show just how emotionally attached some people had become to their AI companions. The situation highlights why many people think governments need to act carefully when it comes to AI and human emotions.

At the same time, a Chinese company called AgiBot held its Australian launch event in Melbourne. On stage, humanoid robots danced the Nutbush — a well-known line dance. These robots cost between US$40,000 and $50,000 each, and China is producing around 100,000 of them this year. They are already being used in factories, warehouses, and as greeters in hotels and shops.

Australia also has its own small robotics company called Andromeda, based in South Melbourne. It makes a robot called Abi, which is sold to aged care facilities around the world. The company says it is building robots that are empathetic companions, turning isolation into moments of joy and meaning. Still, China is far ahead of the rest of the world in building and using humanoid robots, and the rules around them are only just beginning to be worked out.