How Worried Should We Be About Drones? Thursday, February 13th. Free event. Free refreshments. Just register to attend.

[David Levine]

Science Writers in New York Presents How Worried Should We Be About Drones? The Issues of Robots in Warfare  A Discussion with Professor Peter Asaro Thursday, February 13, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

On Thursday,  February 13, Science Writers in New York invites you to join us for a conversation with SWINY chair David Levine (@dlloydlevine) and Peter Asaro, associate professor at The New School's School of Media Studies and vice chair of the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots. Dr. Asaro will discuss the history of drone warfare and the troubling proliferation of new technologies that can surveil and kill from a distance. Drones made the news when thousands of drones were spotted in New Jersey and other parts of the country in December. The Federal Aviation Administration Thursday temporarily banned drone flights in 22 areas of New Jersey and 30 areas in New York although insisting that there was no national security or public safety threat. The United States has the largest military drone fleet in the world and is a leader in drone capabilities: The US has over 13,000 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, in its military. The US has used its drones in many operations, including counterterrorism efforts and precision strikes. There are also over one million drones registered with the FAA for recreational, commercial, hobbyist, and law enforcement use. How concerned should we be about drones being used in warfare and in our daily lives? What does it mean for our privacy?

About Peter Asaro

Professor Peter Asaro is a philosopher of science, technology, and media. His work examines artificial intelligence and robotics as a form of digital media, the ethical dimensions of algorithms and data, and the ways in which technology mediates social and political relations and shapes our experience of the world.

His current research focuses on the social, cultural, political, legal, and ethical dimensions of automation and autonomous technologies, from a perspective that combines media theory with science and technology studies. He has written widely cited papers on autonomous weapons from the perspective of just war theory and human rights, and the legal and moral issues raised by law enforcement robots and predictive policing. Prof. Asaro's research also examines agency and autonomy, liability and punishment, and privacy and surveillance as it applies to consumer robots, industrial automation, smart buildings, UAVs and drones, and autonomous vehicles. His research has been published in international peer reviewed journals and edited volumes, translated into French, German, Korean and Braille, and he is currently researching a book that interrogates the intersections between advanced AI and robotics, and social and ethical issues.

When: Thursday, February 13 6:30 to 8 p.m. Refreshments will be provided Where: The home of Chip and Susan Fisher 1060 5th Avenue on the northeast corner at 87th Street Admission is complementary. Please show your support for SWINY by joining or renewing now. You can join here. Space is limited. Please RSVP as soon as possible so not to get shut out.