2025 Osaka Expo｜Hiroshi Ishiguro's Future of Life Pavilion: Exploring Memory Transfer and Coexistence with Robots

If memories can be transferred, are we still ourselves? At the 2025 Osaka Expo, the most moving experience for me was the themed exhibition "Future of Life Pavilion." The exhibition delves into the futuristic question: "If humans could transfer their memories to robots, would they still be considered alive?" The experience begins with a scientific perspective but gradually leads visitors to the emotional core of the topic. One particular story depicts an elderly man nearing the end of his life, hesitating whether to transfer his memories to a robot to continue his existence. He fears that he might merely leave behind data, no longer being the true "self." The pavilion showcases various imaginative applications of robotic technology, but the most striking aspect is the tender and hesitant intersection between humans and machines. No matter how advanced future technology becomes, what we ultimately yearn for is a genuine connection and love.