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Tag: Robots and Ethics
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For years, humankind has thought of capable, intelligent robots as the stuff of science fiction, from the friendly droids of “Star Wars” to the mechanical overlords of “The Matrix.” In fact, smart robots are already all around us – with more coming every day. The ongoing invasion of robots into our everyday lives is the...
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The new Apple Watch might be an exciting accessory for techies, but it’s only the tip of the technological iceberg compared to what the future has in store for consumers wanting wearable computers. So says award-winning NIU professor David Gunkel, who specializes in the study of information and communication technology and is author of the...
A book penned by Northern Illinois University professor David Gunkel provided inspiration for a new featured video on the PBS Idea Channel. Hosted by Mike Rugnetta, the Idea Channel is a weekly web series with a focus on technology. Gunkel’s book, “The Machine Question,” helped inspire the July 2 Idea Channel episode, titled “When Will...
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by David J. Gunkel,  NIU Professor of Communication Perhaps it is just coincidence, but there is an interesting convergence of apocalyptic thinking taking place in the final month of 2012. On the one hand, we are quickly approaching the “end of the world” as predicted by the Mayan calendar – December 21, 2012 to be...