Photo: Chi Channel/YouTube
The Chinese International Robot Show is maybe not the first place you'd expect to foment international conflict, but a robotic version of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe displayed there has managed to do just that.Last week, the extremely lifelike version of the world leader was shown bowing in a gesture of apology. Video and still images of "Apologizing Abe" went viral on social media in China and Japan, with Japanese citizens incensed that their leader was depicted behaving so remorsefully to the Chinese.The two countries have a long and troubled history with one another, and the turmoil has been brought especially close to the surface this year, as the world recognizes 70 years since the end of World War II. The Japanese are left wondering if this robotic Abe was made as a critique of the PM's refusal to apologize for his country's wartime actions.The South China Morning Post reports that Chinese president Xi Jinping has extended an invitation to Abe to celebrate the anniversary. Abe is reportedly "willing to accept the offer," though he has not formally accepted. But Abe still does not intend to apologize for Japan's aggression towards China during the war, only planning to express "deep remorse." Even though Abe was born after the war, his remorse is not enough for some Chinese citizens with fresher memories.Maybe diplomacy would be easier to achieve in an AI vacuum, free of past prejudices and the knowledge of a painful history. Just don't give the bots the nuclear codes.