Thinking Machines and the Ethics of AI



Overview

Robots, cyborgs and AI systems fire our imaginations and have inspired many movies, from HAL in 2001: A Space Odyssey to Data in Star Trek and Skynet in The Terminator. What moral issues do they raise?

This day will explore the question of whether AI, robots and cyborgs (part biological, part machine) could ever be conscious and/or deserving of moral consideration, and the ethical implications of their use.

Is AI really a threat to us, and if so, how? Might robots and AI make us morally worse, or perhaps morally better?

This event will be of interest to anyone fascinated and concerned about rapid developments in technology, AI and robotics. The talks are highly accessible and non-technical from leading researcher(s) in these fields.

Please note: this event will close to enrolments at 23:59 UTC on 5 February 2025.

Programme details

10.15am
Registration at Rewley House reception (in-person attendees)

10.30am
Might machines think and feel, and even deserve moral consideration?
Stephen Law

11.45am
Tea/coffee 

12.15am
Mutual virtue: how human and AI agents can make each other better
David Storrs-Fox

1.30pm
Lunch 

2.30pm
Lecture title TBC
Jen Semler

3.45pm
Tea/coffee 

4.15pm
Discussion
David Storrs-Fox and Jen Semler, chaired by Stephen Law

5.30pm
End of day

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee - in-person attendance (includes tea/coffee) £120.00
Course Fee - virtual attendance £110.00
Baguette Lunch £7.30
Hot Lunch £19.25

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit or are a full-time student in the UK you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees.

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutors

Dr Stephen Law

Speaker and Course Director

Stephen Law is a Departmental Lecturer in Philosophy and Director of the Certificate of Higher Education at OUDCE. His research focuses on the philosophy of mind, language, metaphysics and on philosophy of religion. He also writes many accessible online articles and edits the Royal Institute of Philosophy journal THINK: Philosophy for Everyone.

Dr David Storrs-Fox

Speaker

David Storrs-Fox is an Early Career Research Fellow at the Institute for Ethics in AI and a Junior Research Fellow at Jesus College, Oxford. David received his PhD in Philosophy from New York University, where he also worked as a Lecturer. His current research concerns the ethics of groups that are composed of both human and AI agents, with a focus on the abilities such groups have and the moral responsibility they might bear.

Jen Semler

Speaker

Jen Semler is a DPhil in Philosophy student at the University of Oxford. Her research focuses on the prospects and implications of artificial moral agency—that is, the extent to which AI systems can and should make moral decisions. She is also interested in moral responsibility and other topics in the ethics of technology. She holds degrees from the University of Cambridge, the University of Iceland, and Duke University.  

Application

Please use the 'Book' button on this page. Alternatively, please contact us to obtain an application form.

Accommodation

Accommodation is not included in the price, but if you wish to stay with us the night before the course, then please contact our Residential Centre.

Accommodation in Rewley House - all bedrooms are modern, comfortably furnished and each room has tea and coffee making facilities, Freeview television, and Free WiFi and private bath or shower rooms. Please contact our Residential Centre on +44 (0) 1865 270362 or email res-ctr@conted.ox.ac.uk for details of availability and discounted prices. For more information, please see our website: https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/about/accommodation

IT requirements

For those joining us online

We will be using Zoom for the livestreaming of this event. If you’re attending online, you’ll be able to see and hear the speakers, and to submit questions via the Zoom interface. Joining instructions will be sent out prior to the start date. We recommend that you join the session at least 10-15 minutes prior to the start time – just as you might arrive a bit early at our lecture theatre for an in-person event.

Please note that this course will not be recorded.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support