What we’re about
If you're new to the area or are looking to expand your social circle with like minded people who enjoy thinking about life a little more deeply, then this is the group for you.
Each week we choose a topic based on philosophy, psychology or sociology, to informally discuss and debate in a central Cambridge location (in summer by the river, and in winter in a coffee shop or pub). During the summer, the topic and venue are announced on Tues or Weds, once we have an idea of Sunday's weather forecast.
Example areas we discuss include:
How we construct our identity, consumerism, time, what is right or wrong, how to lead a good life, how society forces us to conform and 'fit in'
We're always looking for interesting subjects to discuss, so do make suggestions. You don't have to lead the discussion but you're welcome to if you'd like.
Upcoming events (2)
See all- How can we ensure that robots and AI have good manners? (Venue A: Caffè Nero)Caffè Nero, Cambridge
THE VENUE: Caffè Nero, Fitzroy St
Update: We run the same event in two locations: Caffè Nero and Starbucks, so as to provide capacity for as many people who would like to attend. Thus, there will be two events published, and you can choose which one to attend. Please don't sign up for both. This event is for the Nero location.
We meet upstairs at Caffè Nero. An organiser will be present from 10.45. We are not charged for use of the space so it would be good if everyone bought at least one drink.
An attendee limit has been set so as not to overwhelm the venue.
Etiquette
Our discussions are friendly and open. We are a discussion group, not a for-and-against debating society. But it helps if we try to stay on topic. And we should not talk over others, interrupt them, or try to dominate the conversation.There is often a waiting list for places, so please cancel your attendance as soon as possible if you subsequently find you can't come.
WhatsApp groups
We have two WhatsApp groups. One is to notify events, including extra events such as meeting for a meal or a drink during the week which we don't normally put on the Meetup site. The other is for open discussion of whatever topics occur to people. If you would like to join either or both groups, please send a note of the phone number you would like to use to Richard Baron on: website.audible238@passmail.net. (This is an alias that can be discarded if it attracts spam, hence the odd words.)THE TOPIC: How can we ensure that robots and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have good manners?
I delighted to welcome Rod back to the group. Rod is a founding member and good friend of the group but has since moved away from Cambridge. His research interests involve AI and robot ethics, and he is currently working on a book.
Some uses of AI we would regard as ethical and some maybe not. Is there any way in which we can ensure that future AI is well mannered? Can we embed ethics into the operation of robots and AI systems themselves?
Asimov made a start on this in 1942 (link below) but how might we address this now given our understandings of technology and ethics today?
I am writing a book I call ‘Good Manners for Robots’. The chapter headings are:
Do we need to worry about AI?
Intelligence - what is it and are LLMs intelligent?
Autonomy and Intent
Machines with Manners
Rethinking Society with AI
Calls to Action---
Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Laws_of_Robotics - How can we ensure that robots and AI have good manners? (Venue B: Starbucks)Starbucks Coffee, Cambridge
THE VENUE: Starbucks, Burleigh St
Update: We run the same event in two locations: Caffè Nero and Starbucks, so as to provide capacity for as many people who would like to attend. Thus, there will be two events published, and you can choose which one to attend. Please don't sign up for both. Please don't sign up for both. This event is for the Starbucks location.
We meet upstairs at Starbucks. An organiser or regular attendee will be present from 10.45. We are not charged for use of the space so it would be good if everyone bought at least one drink.
An attendee limit has been set so as not to overwhelm the venue.
Etiquette
Our discussions are friendly and open. We are a discussion group, not a for-and-against debating society. But it helps if we try to stay on topic. And we should not talk over others, interrupt them, or try to dominate the conversation.There is often a waiting list for places, so please cancel your attendance as soon as possible if you subsequently find you can't come.
WhatsApp groups
We have two WhatsApp groups. One is to notify events, including extra events such as meeting for a meal or a drink during the week which we don't normally put on the Meetup site. The other is for open discussion of whatever topics occur to people. If you would like to join either or both groups, please send a note of the phone number you would like to use to Richard Baron on: website.audible238@passmail.net. (This is an alias that can be discarded if it attracts spam, hence the odd words.)THE TOPIC: How can we ensure that robots and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have good manners?
I delighted to welcome Rod back to the group. Rod is a founding member and good friend of the group but has since moved away from Cambridge. His research interests involve AI and robot ethics, and he is currently working on a book.
Some uses of AI we would regard as ethical and some maybe not. Is there any way in which we can ensure that future AI is well mannered? Can we embed ethics into the operation of robots and AI systems themselves?
Asimov made a start on this in 1942 (link below) but how might we address this now given our understandings of technology and ethics today?
I am writing a book I call ‘Good Manners for Robots’. The chapter headings are:
Do we need to worry about AI?
Intelligence - what is it and are LLMs intelligent?
Autonomy and Intent
Machines with Manners
Rethinking Society with AI
Calls to Action---
Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Laws_of_Robotics
