Technologies like robotics or AI always interact with our conception of the human. Neda Atanasoski and Kalindi Vora explore this thesis through feminist critique of technology: The boundaries of self-determination were previously drawn along the lines of racialized and gender-oriented ideas. The same power claims and discourses also characterize new technological substitutes (‘surrogate humans’), who work where humanity and freedom end.
How and why is the relationship between freedom and unfreedom changing in our technologized present? And what visions of the future can we imagine through feminist approaches? We will explore these questions over the course of the symposium "Technological Futures Now: Racism, Imperialism, and the Surrogate Human Effect" (June 30/ July 1 at CST, University of Bonn) together with Visiting Professors Neda Atanasoski1 and Kalindi Vora2 and international guest speakers (Nishant Shah3, Erin McElroy4 and others, tba).
We warmly invite students to join the discussion.
In addition to talks held by our international guests, we are offering a panel for Bachelor and Master students. Here is what you need to know before applying:
We are looking for:
- talks of app. 20-30 minutes
- from disciplines such as philosophy of technology, intersectional/feminist/critical theory, social and political sciences, or cultural and literary studies.
- All talks will be in English, accents are welcome.
- Funding for travel and accommodation available.
Topics could be inspired by questions like the following:
- Does our concept of gender shape innovation in technology, and if yes, how?
- How is our social fabric changed by the use of technology?
- What impact do current technological advances have on our concept of labor?
- How do AI technologies and their development perpetuate and reinforce existing power imbalances and colonial legacies?
- How are fights against discrimination shaped by the use of AI?
If you would like to be part of the student panel, please apply by Mai 23 with a half-page abstract (~500 words) that outlines your topic in English. Please send us an email with your abstract, your name, uni and study program to desirableai@gmail.com
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us under the same address any time.
We are looking forward to your applications!