Robots with emotions are no longer just the stuff of science fiction, but do we want them in our homes? A free public lecture at the University of Bath will explore the issues on Wednesday 2 March.
Dr Joanna Bryson, from the University’s Department of Computer Science, is an expert in machines that have their own artificial intelligence.
She will discuss the role and nature of synthetic emotions in intelligent machines, from entertainment to assistants and companions.
Dr Bryson said: “Human-like robots can make for likeable characters in science fiction. It’s easy to swing a movie audience against anyone who would doubt the reality or value of a robot’s feelings. But as we bring more and more intelligent machines into our home, we need to face the question – do we really want our own robots to have emotions?
“I’ll be talking about the role of emotion in humans and other animals – in natural intelligence, and ask when and whether we will need them in artificial intelligence, and if so, how life-like do they need to be?”
Dr Bryson holds degrees in behavioural science, psychology and artificial intelligence from Chicago, Edinburgh and The Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The lecture will be held on Wednesday 2 March from 5.15pm to 6.15pm in Lecture Theatre 8 West 1.1. The lecture is free and there is no need to book. Free parking is available in the West car park at the Claverton Campus from 5pm.
This lecture is part of the Spring General University Lecture Programme (GULP).