Reading & discussion with Eva Weber-Guskar
What does the idea of sentient machines mean for us humans? Everyone is talking about ChatGPT, LaMDA and similar language models that answer questions, write texts and hold conversations. There is debate as to whether they have feelings or could develop consciousness – even if they are only simulating them.
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Eva Weber-Guskar
What does this mean for human emotionality and how we interact with them: is it problematic, reprehensible, or a meaningful addition to our lives?
‘Affective computing’ is the branch of AI that provides a technical foundation for this topic: the replication of human emotionality, the recognition of emotions in others, and targeted stimulation and simulation.
Eva Weber-Guskar explains where emotionalised AI is already being used and, from a philosophical perspective, encourages its responsible further development and application.
Eva Weber-Guskar is Professor of Ethics and Philosophy of Emotions at Ruhr University Bochum. Her current research focuses on emotionalised AI and temporal aspects in theories of the good life. She is also a founding member of the editorial team at philpublica.de, a platform for communicating academic philosophy. In 2025, she received the Tractatus Prize for philosophical essay writing.
Additional information
Accessibility
The venue is accessible to people with disabilities and has a suitable toilet.
Dates
October 2026
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