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Uncanny Valley
The uncanny valley is a term used to describe the feeling of unease that people experience when they encounter an AI or robot that is almost human.
What is the uncanny valley?
The uncanny valley is a term used to describe the feeling of unease that some people experience when they encounter an artificial intelligence or robot that is almost, but not quite, human.
This feeling is thought to be caused by the mismatch between our expectations and the reality of the AI or robot's appearance and behavior. The result is a sense of unease, or even fear, that can be difficult to shake.
While the term was originally coined in reference to robots, it can also apply to other types of artificial intelligence, such as digital assistants or chatbots.
Why is it called uncanny valley?
The name comes from a graph that shows how people's feelings of familiarity and comfort toward something decrease as it becomes more and more like a real person.
The valley part of the graph comes from the dip in the curve that represents this decrease in comfort levels. Things that fall into the uncanny valley can appear oddly familiar, but also slightly off, which can create a feeling of unease or even revulsion.
