The robots are coming and they’re getting smarter, evolving from singletask devices (think Roomba) into machines that can make their own decisions and autonomously navigate public spaces. From transportation systems, hospitals, and the military, to the robotization of our workplaces and households, robots will be everywhere and will increasingly interact with people.
Whether you find it exhilarating or terrifying (or both), progress in robotics and related fields like AI raises new ethical quandaries and challenges legal codes created for a world in which a sharp line separates man from machine.
Drawing from her recent work exploring humans’ emotional responses to robots, Dr. Kate Darling answers questions like:
What happens when robots move from behind factory walls into shared spaces and begin interacting with humans?
What opportunities and challenges should we anticipate in the future of human-robot interaction?
Where does the true potential of AI and robotics lie, and will robots supplement human ability, or replace it?
Why do people treat robots like living things, and why does that matter?
What can and can’t robots and AI do? What societal challenges will we face in a future with robots (ethical, legal, and social)?
Dr. Darling examines why people fear some robots and empathize with others, while also prompting—and answering—questions about what society’s relationship with these robots could look like in the future.
What follows is in part an examination of the technology itself, but ultimately, offers a window into how it’s poised to change the way we relate to each other and our own humanity—and why it matters.
Dr. Kate Darling is a leading expert in robot ethics and human-robot interaction, recognized for her groundbreaking research on the social, emotional, and legal impacts of robotics. As a research scientist at the MIT Media Lab, she studies how people emotionally engage with robots and how these relationships influence society, law, and policy.
Darling’s work pushes beyond technical innovation, focusing on the human side of robotics. She has advised policymakers, industry leaders, and global audiences on the challenges and opportunities created by emerging intelligent systems. Her research and talks explore questions such as: how should society treat robots, and how will their presence change our behavior, workplaces, and ethics?
With clarity and accessibility, Darling inspires audiences to think critically about the future of technology while also empowering organizations to make ethical and strategic decisions. She is a frequent media contributor and has been featured in outlets like The New Yorker, The Guardian, and PBS.
Her engaging presentations combine academic rigor with relatable stories, sparking thought-provoking discussions on the evolving relationship between humans and machines.
Dr. Kate Darling stands at the forefront of the rapidly evolving field of Robot Ethics, wielding her expertise as a research scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab. With a keen focus on human-robot interaction, she delves into the intricate dynamics of social robotics, unraveling the complexities of our emotional connection with life-like machines. As a thought leader, Kate endeavors to shape technology design and policy, probing the ethical considerations that underpin the burgeoning relationship between humans and robots.
Kate Darling’s journey as a trailblazer in Robot Ethics is underscored by her multidisciplinary background. Armed with a foundation in law, economics, and intellectual property, she brings a unique perspective to her research endeavors. Prior to her tenure at MIT, Kate delved into the intricacies of economic incentives within copyright and patent systems, laying the groundwork for her nuanced understanding of the intersection between technology and society.
Her passion for technology and robots has led her to interdisciplinary fields. After co-teaching a robot ethics course at Harvard Law School with Professor Lawrence Lessig, she began to work at the intersection of law and robotics, with a focus on legal and social issues.
Dr. Kate Darling work has been featured in Vogue, The New Yorker, The Guardian, BBC, NPR, PBS, The Boston Globe, Forbes, CBC, WIRED, Boston Magazine, The Atlantic, Slate, Die Zeit, The Japan Times, and more. She writes a monthly column for BBC’s Science Focus magazine and has been a contributing writer to Robohub and IEEE Spectrum. She currently speaks and holds workshops covering some of the more interesting developments in the world of robotics, and where we might find ourselves in the future.
Kate graduated from law school with honors and holds a doctorate of sciences from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich) and an honorary doctorate of sciences from Middlebury College. In 2017, the American Bar Association honored her legal work with the Mark T. Banner award in Intellectual Property. Dr. Kate Darling is the caretaker for several domestic robots, including her Pleos Yochai, Peter, and Mr. Spaghetti. She tweets as @grok_ about eating cheerios for dinner.
In summary, Dr. Kate Darling emerges as a preeminent authority in Robot Ethics, leveraging her multidisciplinary background to navigate the ethical complexities of human-robot interaction. Through her groundbreaking research and engaging speaking engagements, she illuminates the societal implications of advancing robotics technology, inspiring critical dialogue and shaping policy direction.
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