Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) shared a futuristic outlook this week, stating his belief that multi-functional robots will become a common feature in every Ethiopian household within the next five to ten years.
Drawing a parallel to the widespread adoption of mobile phones—a concept that seemed far-fetched just two decades ago—the Prime Minister acknowledged that the idea of robots serving various purposes in individual homes might currently be met with skepticism. Nevertheless, he asserted with confidence that this technological integration is set to become a reality. He also specified that these anticipated robots would represent a departure from existing technologies.
Prime Minister Abiy elaborated that unlike many current technological products designed for a single specific task, the robots he envisions for homes will be capable of addressing a range of problems and fulfilling diverse objectives tailored to the needs and desires of the occupants.
He provided illustrative examples of their potential applications. A family with a child facing mental disability, for instance, could utilize a robot specifically programmed to provide suitable educational support within the home environment, potentially as an alternative to traditional schooling. Similarly, a household caring for a member requiring regular medication could rely on a robot to ensure timely and accurate administration of doses.
Beyond domestic assistance, the Prime Minister also spoke of a more nationalistic function for future robots. He described the primary objective of "enemies" as dividing the Ethiopian populace along religious and ethnic lines and expressed a preference for a robot capable of analyzing, disrupting, and countering these divisive agendas while simultaneously encouraging Ethiopians to unite around a shared vision and narrative. He highlighted the advantage of robots in this context, noting their tireless nature compared to humans who require rest, enabling constant monitoring and counter-action against negative influences from anywhere in the world, and working to enlighten citizens.
Ultimately, Prime Minister Abiy conveyed that he would find it most gratifying if these future robots could instill in the younger generation a strong conviction that "Ethiopia can prosper.