The chapter discusses a recent paradigm shift in the field of Artificial Intelligence regarding the nature of human intelligence and its implications for the design and development of intelligent robots. It will be argued that social intelligence is not a mere ‘add-on’ to intelligent robot behaviour for the practical purpose of enabling the robot to interact smoothly with other robots or people, but that social intelligence might be a stepping stone towards more human-like, embodied artificial intelligence. The argument is supported by discussions in primatology highlighting the social origins of primate intelligence. The chapter also discusses challenges and opportunities provided by socially intelligent robots, with implications for our future.