What will it mean for robots with AI (artificial intelligence) to become conscious, have emotions, and gain social responsibilities? Will they become moral subjects, with ethical obligations and rights?

In this presentation, Dr Joanna Bryson, Reader in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Bath, will review a number of key questions about the present and future relationship between humans and robots:

• Setting aside Hollywood hype, what is the reality of the current state of development of intelligent robots, and artificial intelligence more generally?
• Do we understand enough about the science of consciousness and ethics to predict or prescribe how the relationship between humans and robots is likely to evolve?
• Which scenarios for the future of robots should worry us most, and which might we seek to accelerate?

About Dr Joanna Bryson:

Joanna Bryson is a Reader in Artificial Intelligence at the University of Bath, holding degrees in both AI and Psychology.  Her primary topics of research are the design of intelligent systems and the scientific modelling of biological cognition and culture.

Having published in AI ethics since 1998, she is one of the authors of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council’s (EPSRC) Principles of Robotics (2011), and was recently named to the editorial board for the journal AI & Society.

Meeting logistics:

2pm-4pm, Saturday 18th April 2015.

Venue: Room TBD (To Be Decided), Birkbeck College, Torrington Square WC1E 7HX, London.

Room TBD is on the TBD-th floor in the main Birkbeck College building, in Torrington Square (which is a pedestrian-only square). Torrington Square is about 10 minutes walk from either Russell Square or Goodge St tube stations.

Coffee and other light refreshments can be purchased from the Costa Coffee shop in the reception area of the building, either ahead of or after the meeting.

The event will be followed by a chance to continue the discussion in a nearby pub – The Marlborough Arms, 36 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HJ.

Event hashtag:

#LonFut

Covering meeting costs:

A small fee (£5) is payable to attend this meetup. This fee covers room costs. Please pay in advance, online.

This will be refunded if the meeting is cancelled or rearranged, or if the attendee cancels at least 3 days before the meetup.

Alternatively, if there are still seats available, payment can be made in cash at the door on the day. (Requesting payment in advance assists with accurate planning of the event.)

Journalists are welcome to attend the meeting free-of-charge – please contact the organiser, notifying us in advance of your plans to attend.