Robots and Work

Monday, 2 March 2020

Robots are an important part of the workforce, driving trains, caring for the sick and elderly, assisting in surgery and manufacture, cleaning homes, helping out in offices and schools, even hospitality.  At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, they will interact with guests and help athletes on the field.

Living and working alongside robots is creating many new issues, including  for legal practitioners in areas such as negligence, criminal and civil liability, ownership, health law, shareholder disputes, insurance, contracts and privacy. What do we need to know?

What is a robot? How do robots perceive and learn, interact with humans, communicate and share information? How intelligent can they become?  How far can artificial intelligence go in replicating human intelligence?

NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer Hugh Durrant-Whyte is a world-leading authority on machine learning and robotics, including its application in areas such as cargo handling, mining and defence.  He was previously Chief Scientific Advisor to the UK Ministry of Defence,  a Professor and ARC Federation Fellow at the University of Sydney, CEO of National ICT Australia and Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Autonomous Systems and of the Australian Centre for Field Robotics.  . He has published over 300 research papers. His numerous awards and prizes for his work include being named 2010 NSW Scientist of the Year. He has worked with many major companies and is particularly well known for his work with Patrick in delivering automated container terminals in Brisbane and Port Botany, and with Rio Tinto in pioneering and delivering the automated “Mine of the Future”.

Presenter:

• Hugh Durrant-Whyte, NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer

Chair:

• Michael Green SC, Level 22 Chambers