On June 10, 1752, Benjamin Franklin made a famous kite flight in a thunderstorm, allowing it to be struck by lightning and collecting the resulting electric charge in a Leyden jar, proving the electrical nature of lightning. Franklin's demonstration was one of many in his innovative life, and has capture popular imagination like little else.
As we think through new technologies, and those currently in development, questions of "smart" devices, and what we mean through the term artificial intelligence come to mind. This discussion looks at issues of intelligence and consciousness as these technologies integrate themselves more and more into our everyday lives. A panel discussion with Volkan Isler (Computer Science), Tom Wolfe (History) and Michael Maratsos (Child Psychology) This discussion is co-sponsored by the departments of Computer Science, History, Child Psychology, Neuroscience, and Research Computing.
