Robotics, AI in the spotlight at #WEF15 World Economic Forum

The World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos is on. What are experts telling world leaders at WEF15 about robotics, AI and Big Data?  Global leaders from across business, government, international organizations, and academia have gathered at the World Economic Forum to dialogue about the profound political, economic, social and “above all, technological transformations” that are shaping our world. It’s not surprising, then, that robotics features prominently in this year’s program, with speakers including Rodney Brooks, Ken Goldberg, Red Whittaker, Stuart Russell, Illah Nourbakhsh, Erik Brynjolfsson, and many others. Note that jobs and AI risk feature prominently – not surprising given this is an economic forum.

We will posting televised sessions, links to robotics related WEF blog posts, and the full list of robotics, AI and Big Data themed sessions in the program below so that you can follow the #WEF15 sessions that matter to the #robotics community. 

All times CET. Note that televised sessions will load when they are aired.

Non-televised sessions and relevant WEF blogposts

Extreme Robotics – Robotics legend William “Red” Whittaker reveals how robotics is revolutionizing humanity’s ability to explore and master its environment on Earth and beyond. Introduced by Subra Suresh, President, Carnegie Mellon University, USA.

Related blog posts:

• Why we invite scientists to Davos – David Gleicher
• How to maximise the benefits of a new space age – Thomas Cremins

Human vs Artificial Intelligence with the University of California, Berkeley – Will machines make better decisions than humans? Discover and debate in the IdeasLab: Machine learning from 18th-century automata to self-driving cars; The realities of artificial superintelligence; The prefrontal cortex and how we make decisions; The mind’s ability to rapidly form, test and revise causal theories.

Discussion leaders:

• Ken Goldberg, Professor, University of California, Berkeley, USA
• Alison Gopnik, Professor of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, USA
• Robert Thomas Knight, Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience; Director, Knight Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, University of California, Berkeley, USA
• Stuart Russell, Professor, University of California, Berkeley, USA; Global Agenda Council on Artificial Intelligence & Robotics

Related blog posts:

• AI: how can we manage robot risk? – Stuart Russell and Bernhard Petermeier
• What babies tell us about artificial intelligence – Alison Gopnik
• Two mistakes about the threat from artificial intelligence – Luke Muelhauser

Mastering the Machines – Are we the masters of our fate or will our technologies take over?

Discussion leaders:

• Eric David, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Organovo, USA; Technology Pioneer
• Corinna E. Lathan, Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, AnthroTronix, USA;  Young Global Leader Alumnus; Global Agenda Council on Artificial Intelligence & Robotics
• Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin, Ireland
• Illah Nourbakhsh, Professor, Robotics Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, USA
• Sophia Roosth, Assistant Professor, Department of the History of Science, Harvard University, USA

Related blog posts:

• Will the computers of the future read our minds? – Corrina E. Lathan
• The Internet of Things: Making us more human – Corrina E. Lathan
• Why artificial intelligence isn’t a threat to humankind – Tony Prescott
• What risks does artificial intelligence pose? – Toby Walsh
• What is the age of conscious-technology? – Jerome Glenn
• Can robots be managers, too? – James Young and Derek Cormier
• Is artificial intelligence the biggest threat to jobs? – Bernard Marr
• How can we ensure that robots make the right decisions? – Sandor Veres

The Promise and Peril of Exponential Technologies – Visionary entrepreneur Peter Diamandis reveals how emerging exponential technologies could rapidly converge to
reshape our world.

Related blog posts:

• How will automation affect society? – Jill Wong
• Will robots make our lives better or worse? – J. Bradford DeLong

Robots vs Humans with Carnegie Mellon University – Do risks outweigh opportunities in today’s advanced robotics? Debate in the IdeasLab: Worker robots and the automated economy; Power dynamics ±who controls the robots, controls the future; Humanitarian crises and disaster response robotics; Robotic assistance where we live, work and play.

Discussion leaders:

• Justine Cassell, Associate Vice-Provost for Technology Strategy and Impact, Carnegie Mellon University, USA; Global Agenda Council on Artificial Intelligence & Robotics
• Illah Nourbakhsh, Professor, Robotics Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, USA
• Anthony Stentz, Research Professor, Robotics Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, USA
• William Whittaker, Professor, Carnegie Mellon University, USA

Facilitated by Erik Brynjolfsson, Director, MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy, Massachusetts, Institute of Technology, USA; Global Agenda Council on the Future of IT Software & Services.

Related blog posts:

• Forum Live Interview With Justine Cassell
• What does the second machine age mean for our jobs? – Erik Brynjolfsson
• How will the second machine age affect jobs? – Dalia Marin
• Are machines to blame for a shrinking wage gap? – Dalia Marin
• Is technology to blame for the decline of labour’s income share? – Nick Bunker

Hallie Siegel robotics editor-at-large

Hallie Siegel robotics editor-at-large