Events Calendar

Robot Babies: A Presentation by Star Trek Writer Melinda Snodgrass

This talk is designed to raise several questions.

The first is to examine the purpose of the robot in fiction both in prose and on film. Ro-bots are used to fill this niche because the allow for an analysis of human problems and concerns through the eyes of The Other. Aliens can also fill this role. Ultimately we use the robot as a way to explore issues that confront humans. What does it mean to be human? What is morality? Do we have souls or just intellect?

In fiction we often treat the robot as a blank slate or even as a child learning the ways of the world. Which leads to the second question -- Why build an AI? Is this driven by our human need to create? A night of unprotected sex can accomplish that. Why build a machine? I would like to involve the audience in this part of the discussion.

If we do achieve true sentience with a machine what will be the relationship between us and our creation? Will we love them or fear them? They will be a life form that can’t experience the world through the senses. Will human problems and concerns be of any interest to these AIs? Will they police themselves or will we have to build in constraints a la Asimov’s Three Laws?

Finally I will look at how I create dramatic stories regarding robots/AI’s, and also how the stories have changed as our world has become ever more wired. You notice there aren’t very many stories about power hungry computers taking over the world any longer because we’ve all faced the Blue Screen of Death. We live and work with computers every day, and we know they are fundamentally stupid.

So, if we build an AI do we make it smart enough and give it enough free will to be venal?

Melinda Snodgrass has written numerous science fiction novels, and helps edit and writes for the WILD CARD anthologies. In 1988 she accepted a job on Star Trek: The Next Generation, and began her Hollywood career. Her most recent Hollywood position was as Consulting Producer on the N.B.C. show PROFILER. She is presently at work on the second book of an Urban Fantasy series -- BOX OFFICE POISON about a blood sucking vampire law firm. The first in the series THIS CASE IS GONNA KILL ME will be out from Tor books in July. She has two movie scripts and two television pilots currently under consideration.

Location: John Stauffer Science Lecture Hall (SLH) - 100

Audiences: Open, but please email tambe@usc.edu to reserve seat

Contact: Eric Mankin