Moral machines: What if technology decides for us?

You get home, it’s late. You’re hungry, but then you remember you forgot to do the groceries. No sweat, ‘cause your fridge scans its contents and automatically orders at your local supermarket whenever shelves get empty. Nifty, right?

But what if the fridge analyses your eating and drinking behaviour, if it determines you eat too much fat or salt and bans your favourite snacks? What if you reach for a beer, but it’s not there? Or even worse: your fridge stays locked because it says beer is unhealthy.

Technology taking over control is not new. Think of self–driving cars, automated drones or – indeed – that smart fridge. But what if we lose autonomy to these machines? Can machines make moral decisions? Is this acceptable? And where do we draw the line?

That is what we will discuss at the second edition of our brand new philosophical café Prometheus’ Problems! At this monthly event, students, professors and external experts will exchange thoughts about philosophical and ethical themes related to engineering, modern technology and its impact on society. Importantly, the themes are based upon questions put forward by students themselves. A discussion in a comfortable setting, with a drink at hand.