Sex robots, pornography channels offering 3D content and online role-playing – harmless fun? Or a sinister side to the rise in AI?
We'll be covering all the bases during this lively discussion and we'll be asking: what exactly is a "sex" robot? Are there benefits in having a relationship with a robot rather than a human? Or do we run the risk of objectifying women and men? And if a robot has artificial intelligence – does it have rights? What are the consequences of love 'virtually' - for us as individuals - and for society in the wider sense?
Panel:
- Chair: Chris Jackson – presenter for the BBC TV programme Inside Out North East and Cumbria.
- Dr Sergi Santos – the developer behind 'Samantha' – an advanced sex robot with an artificially intelligent brain. Should she have the option to say 'no' rather than being programmed to always say 'yes'?
- Dr Trudy Barber – a Senior Lecturer at the University of Portsmouth, who is a sexual futurologist and an expert in cyber sexualities.
- Professor Kathleen Richardson – Professor of Ethics and Culture of Robots and AI at De Montfort University and founder of Campaign Against Sex Robots. She is also author of An Anthropology of Robots and AI: Annihilation Anxiety and Machines (2015) and Challenging Sociality: An Anthropology of Robots, Autism, and Attachment (due out 8 July 2018).
Part of Life’s Robots – then and now season.
Please note, if you purchase a ‘debate and exhibition’ ticket, this is only valid for a visit to the Robots – then and now exhibition from 10.00am – 6.30pm on 14 June 2018.
Like this event? You may also be interested in Robots: Hopes and Fears, on 1 November 2018, where we’ll be debating if robots will ultimately change our lives for better or for worse.
Find out more and buy tickets >
Please use the Meetings & Events main entrance on Central Parkway. Parking is available nearby at Times Square Car Park. Postcode for Sat Nav: NE4 7AD.
Thursday 14 June 2018
Debate Start time: 6.30pm. End time: 7.45pm
If you have chosen to visit the exhibition (additional charges apply) before the debate, please arrive to the main Science Centre entrance before 5pm. Access to the exhibition is available between 10.00am - 6.30pm on the day of the event only.
Age Suitability: 16+
Sorry but late comers may not be admitted.
Your use of and purchase of tickets is governed by the Terms and Conditions as set out on the Life website.
It is your responsibility to check, prior to purchase, that the information you have supplied to us in respect of your online ticket requirements is accurate. We are only responsible for issuing online tickets in accordance with the information you provide. Once purchased, the date for which your ticket has been purchased cannot be changed. Payments for tickets are non-refundable. Tickets are only valid for the date stated upon them.
On arrival at Life, the following will be required:
- Appropriate proof of entitlement to any discounted ticket rate claimed (such as NUS card or Annual Pass card) for each person to be admitted under the ticket. You may be asked to pay the full admission price or refused entry in the instance of proof not being available.
- The name and booking reference number (provided at the time of purchase).
No online ticket may be resold without the prior written consent of Life. If any person attempts to enter Life with a ticket that has been resold without Life’s written consent, Life may refuse entry and no compensation is payable to that person by Life.