Responsible Robotics: Shaping a future with robots worth wanting

Dr. Aimee van Wynsberghe (University of Twente), Dr. Christopher Schlachta (Western University), Dr. Jesse Kirkpatrick (George Mason University), Ryan Gariepy (Clearpath Robotics)

Join the Rotman Institue of Philosophy for a panel discussion on robot ethics, bringing together experts with a variety of backgrounds and expertise. This event is free and open to the public, but due to space constraints registration is required. Registration will be opened on February 1, 2017.

A complimentary reception will be held prior to the event, beginning at 6:00pm. Please join us for coffee, tea, and pastries in the space outside the auditorium. 

ABSTRACT

On the cusp of the robotics revolution we will now encounter robots in our day-to-day lives whether it’s a robot to deliver our pizza or greet us in the shopping mall, or having a robot assist a surgeon perform a surgery. Not only will this powerful technology provide us with incredible benefits, relieving us from dull or dangerous activities, but it will also introduce negative consequences that we must deal with. Consequences such as: how can we ensure that the robot is safe and secure, or how will the robot protect our privacy when we interact with it? These are the kinds of questions that the field of robot ethics addresses and it is time to turn these reflections into concrete action. The field of responsible robotics aims to do just that by bringing together robot ethicists, policy makers, and industry leaders to brainstorm about the kind of regulation needed to protect consumers without stifling innovation.

PANELISTS

• Aimee van Wynsberghe is assistant professor of ethics and technology at the University of Twente in the Netherlands. She is co-founder and president of the Foundation for Responsible Robotics. She is also a member of the 4TU center for ethics and technology where she heads the robotics task force. With the help of an NWO personal research grant she is researching how we can responsibly design service robots. Her past research looked at evaluating and designing care robots.
• Christopher Schlachta is a Professor in the Department of Surgery and the Department of Oncology at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University. He is also Medical Director of CSTAR (Canadian Surgical Technologies & Advanced Robotics) at London Health Sciences Centre. He is known for his clinical expertise in minimally invasive surgery and in particular laparoscopic and computer-assisted surgery for gastrointestinal diseases oncology.
• Ryan Gariepy is Chief Technology Officer of Clearpath Robotics. As CTO, he drives the development of Clearpath’s autonomous control software while providing technical strategy for the company’s product lines and managing external research partnerships.
• Jesse Kirkpatrick is Assistant Director of the Institute for Philosophy and Public Policy at George Mason University, an affiliate Assistant Research Professor in Mason’s graduate neuroethics concentration, and a Politico-Military Analyst for Johns Hopkins University’s Applied Physics Lab. He specializes in political and moral philosophy, with an emphasis on the just war tradition, emerging technologies, human rights, and security studies.

MODERATOR

Anthony Skelton (Rotman Institute of Philosophy, Western University)

ADDITIONAL EVENTS ON ROBOTICS

In addition to this event, the Rotman Institute is hosting two lectures on robotics by panelist Aimee van Wynsberghe. Please see the event pages for full details and registration.

Robot Ethics: what is it and why should we care?
March 16, 2017
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

The Ethics of Ethical Robots
March 17, 2017
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm