ShanghAI Lectures: Brian David Johnson “Brain Machines: Robots, Free Will and Science Fiction Prototypes”

Guest talk in the ShanghAI Lectures, 2009-10-29

How can science fiction help prototype emerging science theory and experimentation? Expanding on the framework of consumer experience architecture, this talk explores how a fictional story, based specifically on current works of scientific research, can lead to the expansion and further experimentation of a dramatic new approach to artificial intelligence and domestic robots.

The talk will explore a novel and innovative methodology (science fiction prototyping) which facilitates the creation of new research opportunities and commercial products, based around the concept of integrating science fiction and fact within a regenerative prototyping cycle.

The ShanghAI Lectures are a videoconference-based lecture series on Embodied Intelligence run by Rolf Pfeifer and organized by me and partners around the world.

The future is Brian David Johnson’s business. As a Consumer Experience Architect he develops future products for the Intel Corporation, a global microprocessor manufacturer. He speaks and writes extensively about future technologies in articles and scientific papers as well as in science fiction novels (Fake Plastic Love, the forthcoming This is Planet Earth) and short stories. He has directed two feature films, and an illustrator and commissioned painter.

The ShanghAI lectures have brought us a treasure trove of guest lectures by experts in robotics. You can find the whole series from 2012 here. Now, we’re bringing you the guest lectures you haven’t yet seen from previous years, starting with the first lectures from 2009 and releasing a new guest lecture every Thursday until all the series are complete. Enjoy!

Nathan Labhart Co-organizing the ShanghAI Lectures since 2009.

Nathan Labhart Co-organizing the ShanghAI Lectures since 2009.