Aim of Course
The aim of this weekend event is to address the personal, societal and theological implications of advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics. Questions considered will include:
- What does it mean to be human in a society increasingly influenced and penetrated by intelligent machines?
- What are the potential risks and the benefits of this technology, and how should ethical issues be addressed?
- How do fictional representations of AI and robotics influence contemporary attitudes and technological priorities?
- How should traditional religious conceptions of humanity be re-imagined in an age of intelligent machines?
- To what extent do visions of a posthuman future transformed by technology reflect or replace traditional religious apocalyptic aspirations?
These issues are complex, multifaceted and highly contested. Our aim is to host a conversation between participants from a range of disciplines, including computing and robotics, sociology, anthropology, ethics and theology.
The residential costs for the course are £290 (£190 non residential) full price participant, £250 (£150 non residential) for post doc’s and £190 (£90 non residential) for students
A limited number of bursaries (scholarships) are available – see the Bursaries section of this website. Student members of Christians in Science (UK) may be eligible for a CiS bursary – for more details contact the CiS Development Officer Emily Sturgess on DO@cis.org.uk
Speakers (listed in alphabetical order) and topics
See multimedia items for this course.
- Dr Michael Burdett : Can We Say You to Artefacts? Personhood and Creation in a Technological World
- Nigel Cameron : Robotics, Social Implications and the Future of Work
- Susan Eastman : Biblical and Scientific Anthropologies in Conversation
- Dr David Glass : Religious Faith in an Age of Intelligent Machines
- Richard Harper : Communication, God and Machines
- Lord Martin Rees : Some Thoughts on Artificial Intelligence and the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Life
- Peter Robinson : Ethical Implications of Emotionally Responsive Machines
- Dr Beth Singler : Science Fiction and Religion
- John Wyatt : Artificial Intelligence, Robots and Human Identity
Course Schedule
| Friday September 16 | |
| 5.00 pm | Registration |
| 6.00 pm | Dinner |
| 8.00 pm | Welcome and Introductions |
| 8.15 pm | Prof. John Wyatt: Artificial Intelligence, Robots and Human Identity |
| 9.00 pm | Questions and Discussion |
| 9.30 pm | Drinks and more discussion |
|
Saturday September 17 |
|
| 8.00 am | Breakfast |
| 9.00 am | Lord Martin Rees: Some Thoughts on Artificial Intelligence and the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Life |
| 9.45 am | Questions and Discussion |
| 10.15 am | Coffee Break |
| 10.45 am | Dr David Glass: Religious Faith in an Age of Intelligent Machines |
| 11.30 am | Questions and Discussion |
| 12.00 pm | Small Group Discussion |
| 1.00 pm | Lunch |
| 2.15 pm | Dr Michael Burdett: Can we say you to artifacts: personhood and creation in a technological world |
| 3.00 pm | Questions and Discussion |
| 3.30 pm | Tea Break |
| 4.00 pm | Prof. Peter Robinson: Ethical Implications of Emotionally Responsive Machines |
| 4.00 pm | Dr Beth Singler: Science Fiction and Religion |
| 5.15 pm | Small Group Discussion |
| 5.45 pm | Free time |
| 6.30 pm | Dinner |
| 8.30 pm | Any Questions? Discussion panel with the speakers |
| 9.30 pm | Bar and more Discussion |
|
Sunday September 18 |
|
| 8.00 am | Breakfast |
| 9.00 am | Prof. Susan Eastman: Biblical and Scientific Anthropologies in Conversation |
| 9.45 am | Questions and Discussion |
| 10.15 am | Coffee Break |
| 10.45 am | Prof. Richard Harper: Communication, God and Machines |
| 11.30 am | Questions and Discussion |
| 12.00 pm | Small Group Discussion |
| 1.00 pm | Lunch |
| 2.15 pm | Prof. Nigel Cameron: Robotics, Social Implications and the Future of Work |
| 3.00 pm | Questions and Discussion |
| 3.30 pm | Tea and Depart |