Interdisciplinary Speculations for the Future of Biohybrid Robots
Forum on Philosophy, Engineering, and Technology (fPET 2024) – September 17th, 2024, Karlsruhe
Workshop summary
We organised an interactive workshop for the 2024 Forum on Philosophy, Engineering, and Technology (fPET 2024) at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in Germany. The core idea was to bring together experts from a range of fields—including bioengineering, sociology, art, and public policy—to explore the future of biohybrid robotics.
The 90-minute session opened with brief talks from the panellists, each offering distinct perspectives on the potential trajectories of this emerging field. Participants then split into two groups: one focused on policy and governance strategies, while the other explored artistic and design-based approaches, using AI-generated video to visualise imaginative biohybrid concepts.
Although the internet connection failed on the day, we still managed to hold a lively discussion and Q&A session. Participants contributed a wide range of new ideas, including a proposed scale of moral responsibility for different types of robots and strategies for engaging stakeholders at various stages of biohybrid research and development. By bringing together experts from multiple disciplines, we created a collaborative environment focused on the ethical challenges posed by biohybrid robotics.
Speculative Timeline
