The emergence of robotics in our everyday life might have sounded, until recently, like science fiction, but it has now become part of our reality. Robotics is a fast developing market that has penetrated a wide range of fields such as manufacturing, healthcare, law enforcement, and many more. Robotics can benefit society as a whole as it has the potential to drive growth, jobs and innovation in Europe; it offers new solutions to societal challenges from ageing to smart transport, security, energy and environment.

Some of its greatest advantages include the enhancement of productivity and quality at work, reduction of production costs, intervention in situations that would be hazardous to human lives, contribution to a higher standard of living, improvement of healthcare in terms of procedures, services and products, helping streamline traffic and reduce accidents, as well as the enhancement of a better predictability of crime, contribution to a safer social environment, and lower the risk of human error. However robotics raises concerns related to ethical considerations and the protection of fundamental rights in the development of robotics and artificial intelligence. It is important to understand all dimensions of this new phenomenon and discuss the framework for future cooperation between humans and robots. Consider threats, but first of all - advantages.The European Commission and the Member States should actively promote research, job creation and innovation through better and safer robots. A strong and transparent cooperation should also be encouraged between the public and private sector and academia in order to reinforce knowledge sharing in the field of robotics and constantly evaluate the ethical implications and respect of fundamental rights in the field of robotics and artificial intelligence.

• programme - 30th November 2016

  Welcome and introduction:

  Emilian Pavel MEP and EIF Member

  Speakers:

  Dr. Ing. Georg von Wichert, Head of Research Group Robotics, Autonomous Systems & Control, SIEMENS AG

  Greg Corrado, Principal Scientist at Google and co-founder of Google Brain Team

  Prof. Dr. Simon Hegelich, Professor of political data science at the Technical University of Munich

  Khalil Rouhana, Director Directorate A, Digital Industry, European Commission DG CONNECT

  Exchange of views with participants

  (under the Chatham House rule)

  Closing remarks:

  Michal Boni MEP and EIF Steering Committee Member