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Join the Inamori International Center for Ethics and Excellence as we explore the ethical, legal, and societal implications (ELSI) of existing and emerging technologies, such as:

• robotics
• computer science
• data science
• engineering
• biomedical engineering
• medicine
• human enhancement
• augmented/virtual reality
• novel materials
• artificial intelligence

Symposium Space

The ELSI Think Tank Symposium Space provides the opportunity to listen and learn with expert ELSI Advisors. Audience questions are also welcome at each session.

Exhibit Space

The ELSI Think Tank Exhibit Space provides the opportunity to observe and interact with existing and emerging physical, digital, and theoretical technologies and talk with technology developers, technology utilizers, and ELSI Advisors, and emerging student ELSI Advisors.

Goals

The Inamori Center’s ELSI Think Tank has been specifically created to provide attendees:

• A foundational understanding of what ELSI is and why it matters;
• A deep dive into how ELSI reviews are conducted in specific technology fields;
• The opportunity to actively engage with interdisciplinary stakeholders with diverse perspectives; and
• The chance to improve the ELSI of existing and emerging technologies and advance research and innovation.

Symposium Space (Ballroom A)

The ELSI Think Tank Symposium Space provides the opportunity to listen and learn with expert ELSI Advisors. Audience questions are also welcome at each session.

Tentative Schedule of Events

Exhibit Space (Ballrooms B+C)

The ELSI Think Tank Exhibit Space provides the opportunity to observe and interact with existing and emerging physical, digital, and theoretical technologies and talk with technology developers, technology utilizers, and ELSI Advisors, as well as emerging student ELSI Advisors.

Attendees are invited to provide ELSI feedback by talking directly with poster presenters and technology demonstrators or by leaving feedback via physical/digital notes. 

Poster Presentations 

Students from ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ courses, such as the following, will be invited to present their ELSI considerations of existing and emerging technologies:

Engineering Science 399: Impact of Engineering on Society

As engineers, we design and implement technical solutions with the goal of improving people's lives, locally and globally. However, the technical solutions can have disparate impacts, in that they are beneficial to some people but less beneficial, or even detrimental, to others. What are our ethical and professional responsibilities to understand, consider, and perhaps address the disparate impacts of our work on the affected local and/or global populations?

Humanities 250: Responsible AI: Cultivating a Just and Sustainable Socio-technical Future through Data Citizenship 

An introduction to the key issues that inform ethically responsible design, deployment, and use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, with particular focus on the impact of data practices. From generative language models to video surveillance and identity detection to facial recognition, AI is becoming more and more embedded in our everyday lives. These AI technologies are increasingly built on our data, whether we are aware of it or not. In this praxis-oriented course, we will explore how data is fundamental to the development of AI technologies and develop practices for increased awareness of and participation in this data ecosystem. As we interrogate AI systems in everyday life through hands-on engagement with AI tools and their data pipelines, we will begin to construct a data citizenship model that can help us reclaim the power of collective responsibility in order to build a more just and sustainable socio-technical future. Students will focus their individual and group projects on questions and issues directly related to the subject area of the offering they are enrolled in. Also offered as: COGS 250, ENGL 250, MUGN 250, PHIL 250 and RLGN 250.

Philosophy 393/493: Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology

This course explores ethical issues concerning the development and use of Artificial Intelligence and related emerging technologies, ranging from deferring to automation as an authority to the effects of bias embedded in algorithms to vital questions of autonomy and accountability, all the way to an examination of possible rights for advanced AI systems in the future. AI is currently used in many settings, from businesses to healthcare to the military, all of which have an impact on human lives. There are risks and opportunities associated with this, including the intriguing possibility that we could use AI as augmentation to make humans more ethical, not less. This course will give students the opportunity to consider and debate how AI can be designed and deployed in ways that promote the common good and avoid causing harm, especially to the most vulnerable among us.

Technology Demonstrations

ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Research and Development Initiatives

External Research and Development Initiatives

These lists will continue to be updated as additional demonstrations are confirmed.

The Inamori Center's ELSI Think Tank Advisors have extensive experience conducting ELSI reviews for and advising the  (IDA) and the  (DARPA) on existing and emerging technologies.

Registration

All events are open to the ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ campus community and the general public. There is no cost to attend.

Registration is required for attendance and will open in January 2025.