Robot Rhetoric: What's In A Name?

Ryan Calo
DFP Classroom: FSC 2300

Does it matter if we call them "autonomous vehicles" or "driverless cars"? "Drones" or "unmanned aerial systems"? "Autonomous weapons" or "killer robots"? Does it matter if efforts to address artificial intelligence sound in "ethics and governance" rather than "law and policy," or if we talk of artificial intelligence as an "arms race"? This presentation will draw from a wealth of examples to argue that robot rhetoric can affect not only the public's mental model of robotics and AI, but our very capacity to channel these technologies in the public interest. That which we call a robot matters.

Event directions

Once you are inside the Forestry Science building walk to the rear (south-east) of the building by passing through the large open study area and up the stairs to the 2nd level student (“treetop”) lounge area. Turn left, pass through the double doors, and room 2300 will be immediately to your right.

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