Better Robots Through Philosophy
Maker Faire Bay Area 2026
September 25th-27th
Can philosophy make robots better? It turns out the answer may be yes. As AI and robotics become increasingly capable, engineers are discovering that many of today's toughest design problems are really philosophical ones. What does it mean for a machine to make a good decision? Can a robot be trustworthy? What responsibilities do makers have when creating intelligent systems?
Join Sonoma State University's Maker Space faculty for an engaging exploration of how ancient ethics, modern AI, and hands-on making are coming together to shape the next generation of intelligent technology. Whether you're a builder, educator, student, or simply curious about AI, you'll leave with a new perspective on why philosophy belongs in every maker's toolbox.
Schedule
John Sullins
John P. Sullins, (Ph.D., Binghamton University (SUNY), 2002) is a full professor of Computer Science and Engineering at Sonoma State University and the interim director of the Sonoma State University Center for Ethics Law and Society (CELS). His specializations are: AI Ethics, philosophy of technology. He is the coauthor of the book Great Philosophical Objections to Artificial Intelligence: The History and Legacy of the AI Wars 2nd edition. He also has numerous publications on the ethics of autonomous weapons systems, self-driving cars, personal robotics, affective robotics, malware ethics, and the philosophy and ethics of information technologies as well as the design of autonomous ethical agents.
