Ken Goldberg: Technology, Culture, and Political Change

Conversations with History - Ken Goldberg

Ken Goldberg; Professor of Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

Abstract: 

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Berkeley's Ken Goldberg for a conversation on his research as a professor of engineering and his recent projects as an artist.  Starting with a discussion of robotics in surgery and cancer therapy, Goldberg then moves to an analysis of their application in disasters and on the battlefield.  Describing several of his recent art projects, Goldberg then discusses complementarities with his engineering research. Drawing on the work of Heidegger, Goldberg reflects on the philosophical implications of 'telepresence.' The conversation then moves to a focus on military drones, wiki-leaks, and the problem of bringing ethics to a world in which the rapid introduction of technology changes the nature of war, undermines secrecy, and challenges the legitimacy of the state.

KEYWORDS: Technology, Computer Science, Information Technology, Information, Cyber 

Author: 
Ken Goldberg
Publication date: 
April 10, 2011
Publication type: 
Conversations with History