Talks/Presentations
— Video
In a presentation on the ethical challenges emerging with the rapid expansion of AI and robotics, in which the humanities too have become a target of automation, Teresa Heffernan argues that it is only by maintaining the tensions between these domains that we can hope to have an informed debate about the limits and possibilities of the emergent technology.
Read more “On Ethics, AI, and the Humanities”
Discussion
Book review by Teresa Heffernan (forthcoming in Novel)
Debates about whether robots will take over jobs or open up as yet unimagined career possibilities dominate the headlines. Silicon Valley and the techno optimists promise us that robots will automate boring jobs and create new ones, leaving humans free to pursue their interests in the arts and sciences and ushering in a great era of equality, creativity, and freedom.
Read more “Reading the Human through Robots and AI”
Upcoming Events
In an upcoming talk, Teresa Heffernan will present “The Real Life ‘Ex Machina’ Is Here: Restoring the Gap between Science and Fiction” at the Machine Agencies Speakers Series on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 from 3 to 5 pm. Milieux Institute for Arts, Culture and Technology, Concordia University, 1515 Rue Sainte-Catherine W. EV Building, 11.455. Montréal, Quebec. For more information: www.facebook.com/events/1001883676675274/
Read more “The Real Life ‘Ex Machina’ Is Here”
Upcoming Events
Teresa Heffernan, professor of English at Saint Mary’s University, will give a talk at the upcoming HAL-CON science fiction, fantasy and gaming convention, a multi-format event attended by some 9,200 people in 2017. Dr. Heffernan’s talk, “Fiction Meets Science: Ex Machina, Artificial Intelligence and the Robotics Industry,” is scheduled for 6:15 pm, Friday, October 26, 2018. Location: Room 502, Ballroom level 5 at the Halifax Convention Centre — 1650 Argyle Street, Halifax, NS. For information and tickets go to HAL-CON.com.
Read more “Upcoming: “Ex Machina, AI and the Robotics Industry””
Talks/Presentations
— Video
On March 29, 2018, Despina Kakoudaki delivered a fascinating talk, “Unmaking People: The Politics of Negation from Frankenstein to Westworld,” given at the University of King’s College, Halifax as part of the Automatons lecture series. She argued that “artificial people” in fiction and film from Frankenstein through to Ex Machina and Westworld serve as foils for examining “human” emotions, traumas, rights and identities.
Read more “Unmaking People: Frankenstein to Westworld”
Upcoming Events
Despina Kadoudake, Professor of Literature and Director of the Humanities Lab at American University (Washington, DC), will give a public lecture this THURSDAY, 7:00 pm, March 29th at Alumni Hall, King’s College. Her talk is titled, “Unmaking People: The Politics of Negation from Frankenstein to Westworld.”
Read more “Unmaking People: Frankenstein to Westworld — Upcoming Public Talk”