AI/ML in the News - Highlights 02 May 2025

This week we identified 4 articles about AI/ML that are worth considering, selecting just the most interesting and relevant for you. The key topic covered in this week’s newsletter is the application of AI-driven humanoid robots in consumer-facing roles, specifically in car showrooms. This development highlights the intersection of AI, robotics, and customer service, presenting implications for university lecturers, administrators, and students in understanding the evolving landscape of AI applications in business and society.

One article to highlight this week:

• Sharwood (2025) reports on Chinese carmaker Chery’s use of AI-driven humanoid robots called AIMOGA as sales staff in showrooms. This application demonstrates a practical use of AI and robotics in customer-facing roles, highlighting the potential for AI to transform traditional business operations and customer interactions. The humanoid robots are designed to look like women with long blonde hair.

The introduction of AI-driven humanoid robots in car showrooms represents a significant step in the integration of AI and robotics into everyday consumer experiences. While showcasing the potential for AI to enhance customer service and multilingual communication, it also raises important questions about the ethical considerations of AI design and implementation. For university educators and students, this development offers rich material for exploring the intersection of technology, business strategy, and societal impact.

1. For marketing educators, the introduction of AI-driven humanoid robots in customer-facing roles presents an opportunity to explore how AI is reshaping customer service and sales strategies. The AIMOGA robots’ ability to interact in multiple languages and provide detailed product information (Sharwood 2025) suggests a need to prepare students for a future where AI augments or potentially replaces traditional sales roles.

2. The technical capabilities of the AIMOGA robots, including their “human-like motion library” and advanced sensory systems (Sharwood 2025), highlight the rapid advancement of AI and robotics. Educators should consider incorporating discussions on the latest AI technologies and their practical applications in business contexts into their curricula.

3. The ethical implications of using humanoid robots, particularly those designed to look like specific genders or ethnicities, should be a critical topic of discussion in marketing and business ethics courses. Sharwood (2025)’s report on Chery’s robot design choices provides a concrete example for exploring issues of representation, bias, and societal impact in AI development and deployment.

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