Ethical and Security Implications of Emerging Technologies

The University of Cyprus is excited to be hosting a Kapuscinski Development Lecture given by the renowned philosopher, neuroscientist, geostrategist and author, Professor Nayef Al-Rodhan. The lecture will take place on Wednesday, 14 October 2015 at 19:00, at the University Campus, lecture room Β108, “Anastasios G. Leventis” University House (1 University Avenue, Aglantzia).

The series “Kapuscinski Development Lectures”, named for Ryszard Kapuscinski, a polish reporter and writer who covered developing countries, is organized jointly by the European Commission, the United Nations Development Programme and partner universities and development think-tanks. Over 70 lectures gathered since 2009 over 20,000 participants. In October 2014 - December 2015 the lectures organised in all EU member states contribute specifically to development policy debates as part of the European Year for Development 2015.

On Wednesday, 14 October 2015, the university community, as well as the general public will have the opportunity of attending Professor’s Nayef Al-Rodhan’s lecture. The lecture is concentrated on how we can make sure that the evolving technological innovations don’t destroy humanity or exacerbate inequalities and privacy intrusions. Human innovation is advancing at breakneck speeds. Things we never dreamed of are becoming reality and include: synthetic biology, bioinformatics, cognitive enhancement, genetic engineering, 3D and 4D printing, artificial intelligence, automated weapon systems, invisibility cloaks, quantum computing and even neuromorphic computing. Along with their obvious massive potential, these advancements also pose significant risks to social stability, equality, human dignity, free will, national and global security, and even to the very survival of our species.

Emerging technologies offer states more instruments and means for control and surveillance, often infringing on civil liberties. The balance between States' need to know in the name of security and the respect for privacy must be pursued more fervently. Also non-state actors like large multi-national corporate entities that collect massive amounts of personal data, need to be better regulated. How can we enact strict global regulatory measures without stifling innovation? This lecture will explore the opportunities and dangers presented by the unchecked exponential evolution of emerging technologies, and how they may change the very fabric of what it means to be human.
The lecture is open to the general public and simultaneous translation from English to Greek and vice versa will be available.
A reception will follow.

For the invitation and program click here: applications.ucy.ac.cy/public/weblinks/download?m_id=2637

RSVP: 22894460 (auto-reply)
Info: tel. 22894305 (from 8:00 to 14:00), email [email protected]

The project is a joint initiative of the European Commission, the United Nations Development Programme and the University of Cyprus.
The project is funded by the European Commission

About Prof. Nayef Al-Rodhan: Prof. Nayef Al-Rodhan MD, PHD, is a philosopher, neuroscientist, geostrategist and author. He is an Honorary Fellow at St.Antony's College, the University of Oxford , UK, and Senior Fellow and Director of the Geopolitics and Global Futures Programme at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy in Switzerland. He was educated at the Mayo Clinic, Yale University, and Harvard University. He is a Prize-winning scholar who has written 21 books and numerous articles on Emerging Strategic Technologies, Political Philosophy, Neuro-philosophy, Outer Space Security, Sustainable security, Sustainable Governance, Trans-cultural Security and Geopolitics. He has also pioneered the study of the intersection of Neuroscience and International Relations. He is a member of the World Economic Forum's Meta-Council on emerging technologies and the Nanotechnology Global Agenda Council. His ideas, articles and books can be found at www.sustainable-history.com and https://oxford.academia.edu/NayefAlRodhan.