Dual use, future computing, neurorobotics and the Human Brain Project
Please note that this is a description of a previous event. For more information on future events and other materials go here.
Presenters and commentators include: Alain Destexhe, Jürgen Altmann, Filippa Lentzos, David Lester, Florian Röhrbein, Vincent Müller, Jonathan Moreno, Guglielmo Tamburrini, Valentina Bartolucci, Nikolas Rose, Berit Bringedal, Malcolm Dando and Edward You
On the 10th and 11th of March 2016, an expert seminar took place on ‘dual use’ issues in relation to computational neuroscience and robotics. In this seminar we are exploring dual use, as the potential inherent in scientific and technological research for civil purposes, that there might be military, defense or surveillance opportunities as well.
The EU Human Brain Project, as any other EU project, is regulated to prevent dual use research and funding. However, this does not preclude dual use interest in the project, or completely eliminate the risk of dual uses of its research. At this seminar we will hear from experts working on the science and technology in the Human Brain Project, but we will also include the perspective and experience from the US Brain Initiative as well as from ethicists and social science researchers working on the prevention of dual use of technology and science.
We will explore the following issues at the seminar:
- How have issues of dual use been managed historically with regard to these or related scientific and technical developments? How are dual use issues managed presently?
- How do neuroscientists and computer scientists address issues of dual use in their own practice?
- What are the implications of international differences (e.g. EU/US) in the military and defence involvement in research in computational neuroscience and robotics?
- Which advances in computational neuroscience and robotics might lead to new advances in military technologies, and with what social and ethical implications?
- What influence can the scientific research community, policy makers, and civil society have on the possible military applications of research and development in robotics and computational neuroscience?
The aim of the seminar was to learn from each other, and to develop an initial dialogue on recognition and management of dual use issues. The outcome of the seminar will be written up in the form of a policy brief, with recommendations for the HBP on how to understand and manage the potential dual use of research in the Human Brain Project.
Organisation: The seminar is a joint collaboration between the Danish Board of Technology Foundation, and the HBP Foresight Lab at King’s College London, both members of the sub-project 12 Ethics and Society of the HBP, and of the European Institute for Theoretical Neuroscience (EITN) as part of the HBP sub-project 4 Theoretical Neuroscience.
Programme (please note that this event has been held)
Thursday March 10th, 2016
13.00 – 13.30 Buffet Lunch at the EITN
13.30 – 13.45 Welcome to the EITN, by Dr. Alain Destexhe, EITN-UNIC CNRS and HBP SP4
13.45 – 14.00 Introduction to the seminar and program
14.00 – 14.45 Opening talk
“Title tbc”, by Dr. David Lester, University of Manchester
14:45 – 15:00 Coffee break
15.00 – 17.00 First session
Topic: Future robotics, neuromorphic computing and dual use: risks and prevention
Chair: Prof. Nikolas Rose, HBP Foresight Lab, King’s College London
15.00 – 16.00: Presentations by the HBP on current research and development in the HBP sub-projects: “Neurorobotics” and “Neuromorphic” computing
“Neurorobotics in the HBP” Dr. Florian Röhrbein, TUM Münich
“Title (tbc)” Dr. David Lester, University of Manchester
16.00 – 17.00: Commentary and plenary discussion
Commentary:
“War and Peace, Armament and Disarmament, Dual Use: Fundamentals for Researchers in the Sciences“, by Dr. Jürgen Altmann, Technische Universität Dortmund
“Title (tbc)” by Prof. Vincent C. Müller, Anatolia College, President European Association of Cognitive Systems (EUCog)
17:00 – 17:30 Coffee break
17:30 – 18:30 Presentation
“Dual-Use Neuroscience, Novel Neuroweapons and the Future of the Chemical Weapons Convention“, by Prof. Malcolm Dando, University of Bradford
18.30 – 19.30 Presentation
“Mind Wars”, by Prof. Jonathan Moreno, University of Pennsylvania [via video link]
20.00 – 22.00: Dinner
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Friday March 11th, 2016
09:30 – 09:45 Welcome and introduction to the day
09.45 – 11.45: Second session
Topic: Intelligent machines, machine learning and neuromorphic computing: risks of dual use
Chair: Dr. Valentina Bartolucci, University of Pisa
09.45 – 10.45 Presentations by the HBP panel on current research and development in the HBP sub-projects: “High-performance computing”
“High-performance computing: historic perspective and contemporary applications” Prof. Thomas Schulthess, Swiss National Super-Computing Centre
“Dreaming of electric sheep: Neuromorphic Computing in Review” Vitali Karasenko, Universität Heidelberg the Kirchhoff Institute for Physics (KIP)
10:45 – 11:15 Coffee Break
11:15 – 12.15: Commentary and plenum debate
Commentary:
“High-Performance Computing, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics: Strong Military Interests, Big Dangers for Peace and Security“, by Dr. Jürgen Altmann, Technische Universität Dortmund,
12.15 – 13:15 Buffet Lunch at the EITN
13:15 – 16:00 Third session
Topic: Managing Research and Innovation in ICT and robotics to prevent dual use
Chair: Prof. Guglielmo Tamburrini, University of Naples
13.15 – 15.45 Commentary and presentations by the HBP Ethics Advisory Board and external experts
“Convergence: Implications in cybersecurity, health, and the economy”, Supervisory Special Agent Edward You,
FBI Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate Biological Countermeasures Unit
“Governing emerging technologies with high misuse potential”, Dr. Filippa Lentzos, ´King’s College London
“Ethical advisors in the HBP – report from the EAB”, by Dr. Berit Bringedal, Human Brain Project Ethics Advisory Board
“Dual use and the ethical framing of ICT and robotics research“, by Prof. Guglielmo Tamburrini, University of Naples
15:45 – 16.00 Closing reflections