We welcomed Professor Jack Stilgoe (OS 1995) back to Sevenoaks this week as part of STEM Week. Dr Stilgoe is a Professor in Science and Technology Studies at University College London, where he researches the governance of emerging technologies.
Professor Stilgoe spoke to the Lower Sixth, unpacking the legal and moral dilemmas at the heart of our automated future: Who’s to blame when a self-driving car kills someone?
He also gave a seminar on the politics and ethics of science, discussing questions including ‘Should we edit inheritable gene traits?’, ‘Has Elon Musk done more harm than good?’ and ‘Is tech widening the gap between rich and poor people?’.
In the evening, Professor Stilgoe gave an open lecture: How to think about new technologies, from self-driving cars to ChatGPT. He examined questions of responsibility in risk management and the positive and negative impacts of technology.
We were privileged to be able to share in some of Professor Stilgoe’s research and insights. Don’t ask if technology is intelligent; ask it is useful!
