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Microsoft uses ChatGPT AI to control flying drones and robot arms

Microsoft has used ChatGPT to create code for robotic arms and quadcopter drones from simple text commands given by humans, but experts warn that putting AI in control of such devices is a risky path

By Matthew Sparkes

5 March 2023

A flying drone can now be controlled via ChatGPT

Drones in flight and robotic arms can now be controlled via the ChatGPT chatbot

Westend61/Getty images

Microsoft says it has used the natural language AI ChatGPT to control a range of robots with simple text commands. The approach means people with no engineering or coding experience will be able to instruct sophisticated robots to carry out tasks, but an expert warns that it could be risky to ask AI models to control robots on behalf of people.

ChatGPT was created by OpenAI, an AI company that is itself partly owned by Microsoft. …

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