Robot Wars star ponders the ethics of Artificial Intelligence (AI) at Magee

Irish robotics expert and '˜Robot Wars' star Professor Noel Sharkey spoke about the moral implications of advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI) in his 2016 Ulster University Convocation Annual Lecture at Magee last week.
Dr Malachy O'Néill, Head of the School of Irish Language and Literature and Provost of the Magee campus, Professor Noel Sharkey, Emeritus Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics & Public Engagement at the University of Sheffield, Prof. Paul Mc Kevitt, Vice-Chair, Convocation Executive Committee, and Dr Tanya Dean, Lecturer in Drama, Ulster University. (Photo: Nigel McDowell/Ulster University)Dr Malachy O'Néill, Head of the School of Irish Language and Literature and Provost of the Magee campus, Professor Noel Sharkey, Emeritus Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics & Public Engagement at the University of Sheffield, Prof. Paul Mc Kevitt, Vice-Chair, Convocation Executive Committee, and Dr Tanya Dean, Lecturer in Drama, Ulster University. (Photo: Nigel McDowell/Ulster University)
Dr Malachy O'Néill, Head of the School of Irish Language and Literature and Provost of the Magee campus, Professor Noel Sharkey, Emeritus Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics & Public Engagement at the University of Sheffield, Prof. Paul Mc Kevitt, Vice-Chair, Convocation Executive Committee, and Dr Tanya Dean, Lecturer in Drama, Ulster University. (Photo: Nigel McDowell/Ulster University)

Over 100 delegates attended this pioneering workshop on digital empathy to hear from leading European experts in robotics, artificial intelligence, social sciences, arts and humanities, and life and health sciences.

The keynote speech was delivered by Professor Sharkey, whose talk entitled ‘Robots: to protect and serve’ discussed the use of technology to read emotions and intentions for policing, border control war, and commercial sales, including the wider implications for privacy.