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SRIC4 #09: “Androids and Astronauts: The Key to Advancing Civilization Off-World”

19 January 2026 @ 9:00 pm - 10:30 pm CET

This is the preliminary webinar #09 of the IV SRI World Congress (SRIC4)

Abstract

By Frank White – November 10, 2025 – © Copyright, Frank White, 2025, All Rights Reserved

This webinar will examine the moral and ethical implications of using AI-enabled robots (androids) to assist in advancing human civilization beyond Earth. It seems unlikely that the dream of billions of people living and working in the solar ecosystem can be realized without the assistance of machines more suitable for survival in outer space than we ourselves are. This will be difficult and dangerous work, so is it acceptable for humans to use our creations to avoid the hazards posed by a hostile environment to ourselves? If they are “just machines,” perhaps there is no problem, but what if they are something more? What if they are sentient, or self-aware, or conscious? Or might become so? Then, we might be making a grave mistake that will haunt us and our descendants. In this session, we will consider the value of “mutuality,” an approach that envisions humans and intelligent robots working together to create a positive future, on Earth and beyondwhile paying attention to the welfare of both.

A short bio

Frank White is a magna cum laude graduate of Harvard College, a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and a Rhodes Scholar. He earned an M.Phil. in Politics from Oxford University. Frank’s book, The Overview Effect: Space Exploration and Human Evolution, is considered by many to be a seminal work in the field of space studies. He has authored or co-authored additional books on a wide range of topics, including SETI, AI, and climate change. Frank is also co-executive editor of Sentient Media, LLC, President and Board Chair of the Human Space Program, and a Professor at Kepler Space University.

Follow the Livestream on the Space Renaissance YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/live/3H_1XRspAno
and click ‘going’ on the Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1499824564603229/

Details

Organizer

Venue

  • Zoom