Video – Social Robot Futures

The Ethical Imagination: Humanities vs. AI

Sep 2, 2019Jan 31, 2023

— A forthcoming talk by Teresa Heffernan

The era of “disruptive” technologies has given way to an ethical quagmire. Biased algorithms, invasive facial recognition software, proprietary black boxes, the theft and monetization of personal data, and the proliferation of hate-spewing bots and deepfakes have undermined democracy. Killer robots and the automation of war have led to a new arms raise with Vladimir Putin declaring whoever leads in AI will rule the world.

Talks/Presentations

Social Implications of AI Proceedings

Nov 30, 2018Jan 31, 2023

— Video

The Big Thinking public panel on the social implications of AI, held at the Halifax Public Library on November 14, was a lively and well attended event. The discussants included Teresa Heffernan, Ian Kerr, Fuyuki Kurasawa and Duncan MacIntosh, with Howard Ramos (Dalhousie) as moderator. A video recording of the event is now available.

Talks/Presentations

“Making Up Minds” (AI and The Human)

Apr 14, 2018Jan 31, 2023

— Video

On April 4, 2018, Stephanie Dick delivered a compelling talk at the University of King’s College, Halifax, NS on how the concept of the “human” has changed in artificial intelligence research from the Cold War era to the present. Dr. Dick argued that the early research “sought to explicitly reproduce human faculties in machines.” She maintains that, today however, replicating “human” properties is secondary to the pursuit of enhancing the computational and predictive capabilities of AI systems.

Talks/Presentations

Unmaking People: Frankenstein to Westworld

Apr 5, 2018Jan 31, 2023

— 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.

Talks/Presentations

“Basically Alive”: Between the Science of A.I. and the…

Feb 23, 2018Feb 2, 2023

— Video of talk; written summary of debate by Karen Asp

Divergent perspectives on recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics were evident at a public lecture hosted last week (Feb 14, 2018) at the University of King’s College (Halifax). The keynote speaker, Stan Matwin, presented a nuanced, but largely optimistic view of where research in AI is heading, and the value that advances like “deep learning” promise for society. Following Dr. Matwin’s talk, Teresa Heffernan offered some critical commentary, emphasizing how deceptive claims were being used to promote initiatives in the industry, feeding on and reinforcing collective fantasies and delusional thoughts about, for example, the “aliveness” of robots.

Talks/Presentations

Ancient Robots Lecture

Feb 8, 2018Jan 31, 2023

— Video

Courtney Ann Roby’s public lecture about the dreams of, and designs for, automata in ancient Greece, and how actual “ancient robots” were “programmed,” is available on video. Dr Roby is the author of Technical Ekphrasis in Greek and Roman Science and Literature: The Written Machine between Alexandria and Rome (2016) and Hero of Alexandria (forthcoming).

Talks/Presentations

We Can’t Look to Technology To Solve Our Problems

Nov 16, 2017Jan 31, 2023

— Video

Saint Mary’s University English professor Teresa Heffernan teamed up with Paul Abela of the Department of Philosophy, Acadia University, to argue for the “con” side in a policy debate last month on the implications of AI and robots for the future of society. Stan Matwin (Dalhousie) and Danny Silver (Acadia) defended the pro side. While the pro vs. con structure was simplistic, it generated a dynamic conversation on the “grounds for optimism” compared to “concerns about what the future will bring.” A video of the debate is now available.

Discussion

Humans Need Not Apply: Will Better Tech Make More,…

Sep 17, 2014Jan 31, 2023

— Documentary video, with summary by Karen Asp

CPG Grey recently uploaded “Humans Need Not Apply,” a compelling documentary video on the breadth, depth and implications of contemporary workplace automation through developments in AI and robotics. The narrator makes the point that if the history of automation primarily concerned the transformation of physical labour through the invention of “mechanical muscle,” the revolution underway now is characterized by the transformation of intellectual and social labour through AI and robotic mechanization.