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"Hybrid Intelligence: Combining Human and Machine Brains?


This is a reminder to anyone interested regarding Professor Warwick's lecture 17 October 2005:

University of Westminster
Harrow School of Computer Science

invites to a lecture entitled

"Hybrid Intelligence: Combining Human and Machine Brains?

on

Monday evening, 17th October 2005 @ 6.30pm


To be given by Professor Kevin Warwick of the University of Reading



In this presentation a look will be taken at how the use of implant technology is rapidly diminishing the effects of certain neural illnesses and distinctly increasing the range of abilities of those affected. A look will be taken at a number of problem areas in which such technology has already had a profound effect, a key element being the need for a clear interface linking the human brain directly with a computer. Both human and animal studies from around the world will be reported on.



The main thrust will be an overview of Kevin's own research which has led to him receiving a neural implant which linked his nervous system bi-directionally with the internet. With this in place neural signals were transmitted to various technological devices to directly control them and feedback to the brain was obtained from such as the fingertips of a robot hand and ultrasonic (extra) sensory input.



A view will be taken as to the prospects for the future, both in the near term as a therapeutic device and in the long term as a form of enhancement, including the potential for thought communication. Clearly an individual whose brain is part human - part machine can have abilities that far surpass those who remain with a human brain alone. Will such an individual exhibit different moral and ethical values to those of a human? If so, what effects might this have on society?



Prof. Kevin Warwick

Kevin Warwick is Professor of Cybernetics at the University of Reading, England, where he carries out research in artificial intelligence, control, robotics and biomedical engineering. He is also Director of the University's KTP Centre, which links the University with Small to Medium Enterprises and raises over ?2Million each year in research income for the University.


Kevin was born in Coventry, UK and left school to join British Telecom, at the age of 16. At 22 he took his first degree at Aston University, followed by a PhD and a research post at Imperial College, London. He subsequently held positions at Oxford, Newcastle and Warwick universities before being offered the Chair at Reading, at the age of 33.


He has been awarded higher doctorates (DScs) both by Imperial College and the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague. He was presented with The Future of Health Technology Award from MIT (USA), was made an Honorary Member of the Academy of Sciences, St.Petersburg and received The IEE Achievement Medal in 2004. In 2000 Kevin presented the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures, entitled ?The Rise of The Robots?.


Kevin has carried out a series of pioneering experiments involving the neuro-surgical implantation of a device into the median nerves of his left arm in order to link his nervous system directly to a computer in order to assess the latest technology for use with the disabled. He has been successful with the first extra-sensory (ultrasonic) input for a human and with the first purely electronic communication experiment between the nervous systems of two humans. His research has been discussed by the US White House Presidential Council on BioEthics, The European Commission FTP and has led to him being widely referenced and featured in academic circles as well as appearing as cover stories in several magazines ? e.g. Wired (USA), The Week (India).


His work is now used as material in several Advanced Level Physics courses in the UK and in many University courses including Harvard, Stanford, MIT & Tokyo. His implants are on display in the Science Museums in London and Naples. As a result, Kevin regularly gives invited keynote presentations around the world at top international conferences.


Kevin?s research involves robotics and he is responsible (with Jim Wyatt) for Cybot, a robot exported around the world as part of a magazine ?Real Robots? ? this has resulted in royalties totalling over ?1M for Reading University. Robots designed and constructed by Kevin?s group (Ian Kelly, Ben Hutt) are on permanent interactive display in the Science Museums in London, Birmingham and Linz.


Kevin regularly makes international presentations for the UK Foreign Office and the British Council, e.g.2004/5 India, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Spain, Czech Rep., USA and Hong Kong.


His presentations include The 1998 Robert Boyle Memorial Lecture at Oxford University, The 2000 Royal Institution Christmas Lectures, The 2001 Higginson Lecture at Durham University, The 2003 Royal Academy of Engineering/Royal Society of Edinburgh Joint lecture in Edinburgh, The 2003 IEEE (UK) Annual Lecture in London, The 2004 Woolmer Lecture at York University, the Robert Hooke Lecture (Westminster) in 2005 and the 2005 Einstein Lecture in Potsdam, Germany.



This lecture should especially appeal to many working in the IT industry, and we are privileged to have an internationally renowned academic give this lecture. It promises to be a fascinating evening.



Lecture 6.30pm in the Auditorium, Harrow Campus, University of Westminster



Please contact Dr Geoff Dowling, ([email protected]) Chair of the Business Computing Department in the Harrow School of Computer Science to reserve your seat.

The Harrow campus is situated right next to Northwick Park underground station on the Metropolitan Line.



Advance notice: The Science, Engineering, and Medical Applications of Computerised Tomography,

a lecture to be given by Dr Jamshid Dehmeshki, of Medicsight Plc on Thursday 17th November 2005 also from 6pm.
 

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Login to find out (October 3, 2005 at 1:44pm)
The research into arresting AD is very promising and worthwhile. Dr. Warwick's research may have the potential of aiding people with "locked in" syndrome and could have implications for terminating life support in those who have been declared brain dead.
 
Login to find out (October 2, 2005 at 10:32pm)
how about the use of "robotics" to slow the degenerative process of Alzheimers?... or Lou Gheric's disease?

Out of anything that can afflict humans, those are the two are the most painful to a) have b) witness a family member have...
 
Login to find out (October 2, 2005 at 12:40pm)
In the field of neurology, there have been some incredible advancements in slowing down the degenerative process of Alzheimer's... unfortunately its experimental (and success with it's limited number of human-guinea-pigs) is quite controversial - especially with the Christian right... When fetal tissue is at a certain stage (when incubated) was used, in this experiment, to slow the degenerative nature AND show very initial signs of its reversal....

It is amazing the kinds of medical technology that can be used in conjunction with fetal tissue...