Does It Matter if a Robot is Sentient?

"Mirroring" is a technique that former FBI negotiator Chris Voss teaches for putting people at ease, so you can glean information from them (as in how they feel about letting the hostages go, how high a price they're willing to pay for your turnips, how serious they are about wanting a divorce.) Mirroring is very simple: You just repeat the last three significant words the person said, and then you wait. Even the great Robert Caro has to write "SU" as he takes notes, reminding himself to "shut up"). Mirroring makes people feel listened to, which prompts then to fill the silence with more of their thoughts. Thanks for reading Robots for the Rest of Us! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.