Science Festival: The Rights of the Machine

The Rights of the Machine

In 2015, two chimpanzees in New York were granted ‘legal person status’ by a court ruling. This action has potentially groundbreaking implications in the field of medical ethics. Do intelligent robotic systems deserve civil rights? Or even human rights? Join Kathleen Richardson from the Campaign Against Sex Robots, and Dr Patricia Vargas, Roboethicist and Director of Heriot-Watt University’s Robotics Laboratory, as they explore the rights of the machine.

Dr Patricia Vargas is the Founder Director of the Robotics Laboratory, Associate Professor/Reader in Computer Science and Robotics at the School of Mathematical and Computer Science (MACS) at the Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, and the Edinburgh Centre for Robotics Outreach and Public Engagement Lead on behalf of Heriot-Watt University.

The Edinburgh Centre for Robotics is a joint venture between Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh.

For further information, please visit the Science Festival event page.

Useful links

Dr Patricia Vargas

Robotics Laboratory

Edinburgh Centre for Robotics

Edinburgh International Science Festival brochure

Date: 
Monday, 4 April, 2016 - 20:00 to Tuesday, 5 April, 2016 - 20:45
Speaker: 
Dr Patricia A. Vargas
Affiliation: 
Edinburgh Centre for Robotics
Location: 
Summerhall, Red Lecture Theatre