Public SSU lecture addresses robotics ethics

Can you trust machines to work side-by-side with humans in homes or in a hospital? This is one of the questions to be raised in a RoboEthics lecture open to the public tomorrow evening at Sonoma State University.

“I will argue that this dream can only be realized if these machines are also constructed to be morally trustworthy and to operate in accord to some ethical standards,” according to Dr. John Sullins, a philosophy professor at SSU. 

Sullins will discuss the topic, “RoboEthics: Challenges in Engineering Ethical Machines,” Thursday, March 3, at 4:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. in the Cerent Engineering Science Complex in Salazar Hall, room 2009A. There will also be a reception from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. prior to the lecture and a question period after, ending at 5:30 p.m.

Currently, Sullins’ research and related publications focus on ethical impacts relating to personal robotics technology in relation to people’s lives.

Tomorrow’s lecture is part of the Engineering Science Lecture Series on the first and third Thursday of every month during the school year.

Future lectures include, “The Architecture of Radio Receivers: Past and Present,” on March 17, and “Power Optimized Solar Panels/PV Systems: Where is the value?” on April 7.

Do you have information about a Rohnert Park event or story? Click here to contact Joelle.

Follow Joelle on Facebook by clicking here.