On 10 October 2018, the Google Chair in Digital Innovation at the College of Europe organized an international seminar dealing with the Societal Impact of Robots and Artificial Intelligence, in cooperation with representatives of Waseda University in Tokyo. The event started at 14:00 with a presentation by Professor Toshie TAKAHASHI of the School of Culture, Media and Society at Waseda University. Professor TAKAHASHI's presentation was followed by remarks by Professor Andrea RENDA, holder of the Google Chair, who illustrated the current state of the debate on artificial intelligence in Europe. Comments were provided by Professor Shuji HASHIMOTO and Professor Yoshiyuki SHIRAKAWA of Waseda University, followed by a debate with the audience.
Developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics present new challenges to society in the 21st century. Robots and AI-enabled systems are already changing manufacturing supply chains, and are expected to gradually permeate many aspects of social life. While in Europe dystopian views are often predominant in the debate, with a looming threat that robots replace jobs and distort interpersonal relationship, in Japan the age of robots seems to have started earlier, and is less dominated by fear. The more consolidated Japanese experience may be very helpful for Europe at a time in which many Member States, and now the European Commission are discussing upcoming ethical guidelines on AI, as well as a policy and investment strategy to compete globally on AI and data driven innovation.
Participation in the seminar was open to the public.
For more information please contact Gil STEIN, Senior Academic Assistant to the Google Chair.
