Could a robot ever be considered as having a ‘soul’? What are the religious implications of possible future scientific discoveries leading to human immortality? How far does our trust go in silicon vs senses?
These are some of the questions to be be explored into over the next 3 weeks, as the Religion Media Centre are pleased to announce a series of in-depth seminars on Artificial Intelligence, in partnership with Theos, a think tank on religion in society.
Delving into an extensive study of the relationship between science and religion, each seminars expert speakers exploring key questions for our future with AI. The seminars will analyse recent research undertaken by Dr Nick Spencer and Dr Hannah Waite, from Theos, and The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, based in Cambridge. Data came from an extensive survey among 5,000 adults and interviews with leading scientific and religious thinkers, in a project funded by the Templeton Trust.
Join us for these free online sessions discovering the key questions, fears and challenges surrounding our relationship to technology. Journalist Rosie Dawson hosts all three discussions, held at 2pm on Tuesdays online. You can register for each one individually here >> via Eventbrite.
For more information, contact [email protected].
Tuesday 24 May 1400: Spiritual Silicon – could robots one day have souls?
With guest panellists:
- Nick Spencer, Senior Fellow at Theos
- Rabbi Laura Janner Klausner, Rabbi at Bromley Reform Synagogue and former Senior Rabbi to Reform Judaism
- Prof Neil Lawrence, Deep Mind Professor of Machine Learning, University of Cambridge
- Prof Kathleen Richardson, Professor of Ethics and Culture of Robots and AI, de Montfort University, Leicester
Tuesday 31 May 1400: The promise of scientific immortality – who wants to live forever?
With guest panellists:
- Nick Spencer, Senior Fellow at Theos
- Rabbi Laura Janner Klausner, Rabbi at Bromley Reform Synagogue, and former Senior Rabbi to Reform Judaism
- Prof Neil Lawrence, Deep Mind Professor of Machine Learning at University of Cambridge
- Rev Dr Joanna Collicutt, psychologist of religion, University of Oxford
Tuesday 7 June 1400: Drivers, Doctors, Friends – who will AI replace?
With guest panellists:
- Nick Spencer, Senior Fellow at Theos
- Rabbi Laura Janner Klausner, Rabbi at Bromley Reform Synagogue, and former Senior Rabbi to Reform Judaism
- Prof Neil Lawrence, Deep Mind Professor of Machine Learning at University of Cambridge
- Prof Dame Sue Black, Pro Vice Chancellor at Lancaster University, and President of the Royal Anthropological Institute
