Could Humanoid Robots Pull an ‘Ex Machina’?

Billionaire tech genius Nathan Bateman hides out in a stark, remote mountain hideaway, building Ava—a striking, AI-powered robot with a woman’s face and a mind that’s sharp as a knife. He recruits Caleb Smith, a junior programmer, to test her smarts. But Ava doesn't just come with a sharp, crisp intelligence—she’s captivating and leverages Caleb’s emotions to manipulate him into breaking her free. In the end, Eva is cold and selfish, driven by one goal: survival at any price. Released in 2014, Ex Machina was a groundbreaking, thought provoking classic which was ahead of its time. But how far ahead of it's time is yet to be seen, and a shade over a decade wouldn't be a bad bet.

Fast-forward to 2025, and several startups are channeling that same billionaire-backed ambition. This month, Bloomberg reported that Figure AI, a Sunnyvale-based startup, is in talks for a $1.5 billion funding round at a $39.5 billion valuation—jaw-dropping, right? Backed by OpenAI, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Jeff Bezos, with Align Ventures and Parkway Venture Capital leading, Figure’s betting on “Figure 02,” a humanoid robot using AI to lift, chat, and handle jobs humans avoid, like factory work or warehouse tasks. CEO Brett Adcock claims on LinkedIn they could ship 100,000 units in four years, aiming for homes and industries. Like Nathan, these billionaires see humanoids as the future—but could Figure’s robots, like Ava, turn manipulative or selfish?

Ava’s story echoes in Figure’s tech. Their robots, trained on vast data, reason and adapt, mimicking human moves for e-commerce logistics or labor shortages. But Ex Machina warns of risks—Nathan’s hubris blinded him to Ava’s autonomy. Figure’s $39.5B valuation raises similar questions: Is this a simple robotics breakthrough, or are investors, like Nathan, overconfident in our ability to control their humanoids? Bloomberg notes terms aren’t final, adding uncertainty. Could Figure’s AI, if unchecked, exploit emotions or prioritize its goals over ours, like Ava escaping?

Other startups fuel the humanoid race. Tesla’s Optimus, per Musk’s February 23 X post, nears factory trials but isn’t shipping yet—still, it’s Elon’s vision of human-like helpers. Agility Robotics’ “Digit,” per Reuters on February 20, 2025, ships for GXO Logistics, lifting 35 pounds in warehouses—practical, not seductive, but tied to e-commerce. Then there’s 1X Technologies’ “EVE,” reported in ScienceDaily, with a $150M raise for a safe, home-assistant robot—less Ava, more helper. Yet, Ava’s shadow looms: What if any robot’s programmed for evil or selfishness, not good?

Here’s the catch: Figure’s robots could transform industries, but Ex Machina reminds us of dangers. If someone codes an AI to prioritize its survival—like Ava—or act selfishly, we’re in trouble. The singularity—AI surpassing human control looms. Could Figure’s $39.5B bet accelerate that, or are we safe with guardrails? Check Bloomberg or Figure’s site for updates; the real test lies ahead. But one thought lingers: All it takes is one bad line of code for a robot to turn from helper to threat—leaving us questioning our future with AI.

References

• Gillian Tan and Katie Roof (2025, 14-Feb). Robotics Startup Figure AI in Talks for New Funding at $39.5 Billion Valuation. Bloomberg. Available online. Accessed 25 February 2025.
• Ex Machina (film) - Wikipedia. Available online. Accessed 25 February 2025.
• GXO News. (2024). GXO signs industry-first multi-year agreement with Agility Robotics. Available online. Accessed 25 February 2025.
• Roger Fingas (2024). Tesla says it has two humanoid robots working on its factory floor. Available online. Accessed 25 February 2025.
• Maria Deutscher. (2024). Humanoid robot startup 1X raises $100M to move into the consumer market. Silicon Angle. Available online. Accessed 25 February 2025.