Robotics, AI, and Humanity: Science, Ethics, and Policy

2019
Workshop
16-17 May

Robotics, AI, and Humanity: Science, Ethics, and Policy

Conference

Robotics, AI, and Humanity: Science, Ethics, and Policy
Illustration: Lorenzo Rumori

Recent advances in machine learning (commonly referred to as artificial intelligence – AI), and robotics have elicited widespread debate over their benefits and drawbacks for humanity. The emergent technologies have for instance implications within medicine and health care, employment, transport, manufacturing, agriculture, and armed conflict. While there has been considerable attention devoted to robotics/AI applications in each of these domains, the time is ripe to gain a fuller picture of their connections and the possible consequences for our shared humanity. To this end, PAS and PASS have agreed to jointly organize this multidisciplinary conference to be held May 16-17, 2019. In addition to examining the current research frontiers in AI/robotics, the participants will discuss the likely impacts on societal well-being, the risks for peace and sustainable development, as well as the attendant ethical and religious dimensions of these technologies. Topics to be addressed in the conference sessions include:

  • Scientific foundations and innovation drivers of AI/robotics (inter alia mathematics, algorithm innovations, computer science, related roles of big data use)
  • Person-robot relations and the implications for society, taking into account differences between low- and high-income countries, rural and urban communities, youth and elderly
  • Technology and engineering of robotics and applications of AI/robotics in industries and services, and the implications for work and employment, manufacturing, agriculture and food systems, health services, poverty and marginalization
  • Robot–human interactions and implications
  • AI/robotics and the changing character of warfare
  • Ethical and religious aspects of AI and robotics; robots and identity (or even robots’ rights) and need for regulatory policies on the use and future development of AI/robotics technologies