Seminar

Seminar "My robotic work buddy"

04/27/2021 - 15:00 - 16:30

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Eestikeelne seminar "Minu tulevikukolleeg robot" toimub 29. aprillil, info siin.

 

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This seminar focuses on future-proofing us by helping to understand what artificial intelligence and intelligent robots will bring to our work life in the next 10 years. Unique perspectives on the possibilities and limitations of integrating robots into our work environment will be shared by experts, including the philosopher and future rector of Tallinn University Tõnu Viik

It is easier to embrace and be open to working with robots and artificial intelligence if we understand the nature and behavior of a robot. Lecturers and students of several Tallinn University institutes have worked together for the past year in HARNO-funded project "My Future Colleague Robot" and LIFE project "My Future Colleague Robot" to raise awareness of non-ICT students and university lecturers about artificial intelligence robots and new technologies. The joint final seminar will provide an overview of the communication and complicated relations between robots and humans.

Time: April 27th at 15-16.30, time zone: Estonia (GMT +3)

Speakers and subjects


Tõnu ViikThe first speaker is Tõnu Viik.

Subject: Human, robot and emotions

Tõnu Viik is Professor of Philosophy and will be the next rector of Tallinn University. He received his Ph.D. from Emory University, Atlanta. Tõnu’s academic interests include phenomenology, philosophy of culture, and cultural theory. His work focuses on a phenomenological account of culture-dependent meaning-making in everyday life and various forms of individual and collective affectivity.

“When we look at human life from a broader perspective we can see robots being implemented into more and more spheres of life. If a person has always thought about himself and other significant humans in regards to all the different spheres of their life, then now these significant others can also become non-biological lifeforms.”


Mihkel KangurThe second speaker is Mihkel Kangur.

Subject: Necessary changes to our thought processes in our quickly changing society

Mihkel Kangur is Estonian ecologist who works in Tallinn University. He is Sustainable Development Docent and focuses on environmental awareness. He has written a lot of articles about environmental problems and protecting the environment.

“In some ways we are already seamlessly becoming the robot's co-travelers. They have integrated so profoundly into our society, our way of life, that removing them from all of it would be nearly impossible.”


Indrek GraubergThe third speaker is Indrek Grauberg.

Subject: Robots subject to law and current law

Indrek Grauberg is the head of the Institute of Social Sciences in Tallinn University. He will speak about robots subject to law and current law.

“If we imagine that a robot is working on something, then that robot is bound to belong to someone. From a legal standpoint, in my opinion the robot is a piece of personal property, not a conscious being. It is after all constructed by humans to serve other human needs.”


Mart SusiThe fourth speaker is Mart Susi.

Subject: Do robots have fundamental rights?

Mart Susi has doctor iuris degree from the University of Tartu. Currently, he is heading the law program at Tallinn University and has the position of Professor of Human Rights Law. In this seminar he will try to answer a question as do robots have fundamental rights?

“If there is something, let's say artificial intelligence (AI), which can think better, quicker and more broadly than men or women can think. Why not protect this solution with certain rights.”


Markus Narusk

The last speaker is Markus Narusk.

Subject: StarShip delivery robots as colleagues

Markus Narusk is the student of School of Natural Sciences and Health in Tallinn University. He has worked as Starship robot handler, remote operator and inspector for five years. At this seminar he will introduce Starship delivery robots as his colleagues.

"Walking behind one robot for over 20 kilometers, made this special connection. I knew everything about him, how he acted and what he thinks. He felt alive to me. Now that there are hundreds of them rolling around, doing something somewhere, there isn't that special connection any more and they're starting to feel more like tools."


After the presentations there will be a panel discussion and the speakers will answer questions from the participants.

Registration and Zoom

Please register for the seminar in advance!

REGISTRATION

Seminar is in English.

ZOOM

Seminar is part of a project "My future colleague robot" financed by Education and Youth Board and LIFE project "My future colleague robot".