Wednesday, April 23, 2003
USI address exploring the future of technology, personhood
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An internationally recognized computer scientist, composer, visual artist, and virtual reality pioneer will discuss the future of technology and personhood in the keynote address at University of Southern Indiana’s 2003 Research, Innovation, Scholarship, and Creativity Showcase Saturday, April 26. Jaron Lanier will speak at 9 a.m. in Mitchell Auditorium in the Health Professions Center. His presentation, “What Every Scientist and Engineer Should Know about the Future of Personhood,” is free and open to the public. Since technology doesn't really do anything by itself, Lanier says it can only be effective as part of a system that includes human beings. Humans are more flexible than any machines that have been built so far – or that are likely to be built for quite some time. Consequently, Lanier believes new underlying technologies are more likely to change the nature of people than the nature of machines. Technological advances have increased the average length of life and created more diffuse social networks. Lanier also asserts people are changed by new technologies at other levels that might almost be called spiritual. According to Lanier, every design of a computer must implicitly promote a philosophy of personhood, for personhood is exactly what the computer is not, at least in the mind of the computer's designer. As an increasing number of computer designers believe that computers are either "agents" already or are on their way to becoming some form of person, the nature of personhood is being challenged in a way that evades the usual channels of public scrutiny. Lanier’s address will examine the future of personhood as it will be influenced by design decisions made - often without much consideration - by technologists and scientists. Additional information about Lanier is available online at www.well.com/user/jaron. USI student presentations in the 2003 Research, Innovation, Scholarship, and Creativity Showcase will follow the keynote address. Student presentations will be made in the Liberal Arts Center. The RISC Program is designed to encourage independent faculty-guided undergraduate research and creative projects at USI. For more information, call 812/465-7137. |
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