'˜Robot Wars' professor to discuss ethics of emotion-reading technology

There have been significant advancements in the field of robotics.

The ethics and implications of deploying technology that can read emotions is to be discussed by a leading Professor in Robotics at Magee next month.

The talk entitled ‘Robots: to protect and serve’ will feature Professor Noel Sharkey and takes place on October 31 from 5pm at the Great Hall.

Professor Sharkey is Emeritus Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics & Public Engagement at the University of Sheffield.

He is also co-Director of the Foundation for Responsible Robotics.

Professor Sharkey is also known as head judge for the BBC science series ‘Robot Wars’.

This lecture will highlight and discuss social responsibility in the development of new technology related to ‘Digital Empathy’ and the implications of the use of systems to read emotions and intentions for policing, border control, war, commercial sales and the wider implications for privacy.

He will finish by discussing the importance of societal responsibility for scientists and researchers developing these new technologies.