Workshops ERF 2017

ELS 1: Ethics - Should society be afraid of robots?

(22.3.17, 14-15:30) Room: KUKA/Fintry

The emergence of new technologies such as robotics and artificial intelligence causes a vast amount of discussion and even fears about the consequences of their usage and appearance. What can we expect from these machines capable of acting, learning and adapting their behaviour? What are the consequences of introducing autonomous machines into our society?

This workshop is the first of a series of three, addressing more specifically the ethical issues, i.e. the observance of values (such as honesty, professional integrity, respect for privacy, ...) and the evaluation of the consequences of our actions (are they for the public good in the long run?). One issue in this regard is the need for verification and validation, to provide assurance of safety and security.

• Anne Bajart (DG Connect) Opening Remarks [5 min]

• Vincent C. Müller: “Should we be afraid of robots”? Introduction & presentation of the bibliography on “robot ethics” http://philpapers.org/browse/robot-ethics - [10 min]

• Alan Winfield (UWE): report on the work of the IEEE initiative in AI/AS ethics - [10 min]

• Maria Bulgheroni/Cathrine Hasse: Introduction to H2020 project REELER “Responsible Ethical Learning with Robotics” - [5 min]

• Mihalis Kritikos (Policy Analyst at the Scientific Foresight Unit within the European Parliamentary Research Service) - [10 min]

• Anibal Ollero (U Seville): Certification and Validation of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) - [15 min]

• Presentation and discussion of the 2017 ELS position paper on ‘ethics' (V. Müller) - [10 min]

ELS 2: Legal - Do we need new laws to handle robots?

(23.3.17, 8:30-10:00) Room: KUKA/Fintry

The emergence of new technologies such as robotics and artificial intelligence usually causes a vast amount of discussion and even fears about the consequences of their usage and appearance. What can we expect from these machines capable of understanding, acting, learning and adapting their behaviour? What are the consequences of introducing autonomous machines into our society?

Smart regulation for smart products is needed to ensure continued innovation underpinning Europe’s competitiveness in the area. For example, the recently launched Digitising European Industry strategy identifies and addresses the new legal challenges related to robots, autonomous and AI-based systems. These challenges concern, in particular,  the protection and ownership of data generated by the multitude of smarter products, the liability issues resulting from more autonomous systems, and safety in the context of increasing autonomy and interaction.

• Introduction: Vincent C. Müller (Chair, topics group ELS), Anne Bajart (DG-CONNECT), Victor Negrescu (MEP) - [10 min total]

• Mihalis Kritikos (Policy Analyst at the Scientific Foresight Unit within the European Parliamentary Research Service), New EU legislation on robotics and AI: “Report with recommendations to the Commission on Civil Law Rules on Robotics", 27.01.2017, A8-0005/2017 & Science and Technology Options Assessment STOA Policy Briefing "Legal and ethical reflections concerning robotics" 06-2016 [video] - [20 min]

• Renaud Champion (euRobotics, board of directors) “Robotics in the current legal framework”, presentation of SYMOP white paper (October 2016) - [5 min]

• Presentation and discussion of the 2017 ELS position paper on ‘legal issues’ by Andrea Bertolini [cf. video] - [10 min]

• Panel with the speakers & Uwe Haass (Roboconsult, former Secretary General of euRobotics AISBL) & Juha Heikkilä (DG CONNECT, Head of Unit 'Robotics and AI') & Bjoern Juretzki (DG CONNECT) [3 min each + discussion]

ELS 3: Social & Economic - Are robots a risk to our economy, esp. our jobs?

(22.3.17, 16:15-17:45) Room: KUKA/Fintry

The emergence of new technologies such as robotics and artificial intelligence usually causes a vast amount of discussion and even fears about the consequences of their usage and appearance. What can we expect from these machines capable of understanding, acting, learning and adapting their behaviour? What are the consequences of introducing autonomous machines into our society? What effects does robotics have on the job market?

Following the emergence of robots in the working life, the human labour landscape will be drastically re-shaped, with a significant percentage of jobs having the potential to be automated, depending on the sector.  Numerous studies exist on the employment effects of Robotics and AI, with varyingly negative or positive predictions, however the net effect is not known. The question is also on how to prepare our society and workforce for the robotics and AI revolution and era.

• Emilie Rademakers (KULeuven): Why are there still so many jobs? The impact of robotics and AI on the job market. [15 min]

• Christophe Leroux & RockEU: The literature on the employment effects of technological change: policy implications and open research questions [15 min]

• Thilo Zimmermann (Fraunhofer-IPA): Lifelong learning and the future of work [15 min]

• Presentation and discussion of the 2017 ELS position paper on ‘socio-economic issues' (E. Rademakers) [10 min]