Fired by the enthusiastic host Peter-Paul Verbeek (professor of philosophy of technology, University of Twente), several scientists in the special studio in DeFabrique in Maarssen gave a glimpse into the future. Professor of Artificial Intelligence Cees Snoek (University of Amsterdam) discussed with Verbeek the developments in computer-controlled video analysis, in which artificial intelligence is increasingly capable of viewing and interpreting camera images. Tjisse van der Heide (NIOZ, University of Groningen) explained how he and his research group succeed in restoring nature, especially in coastal areas, using biodegradable mats. And Pieter Roelfsema (Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam) and Nick Ramsey (UMC Utrecht) told and demonstrated how brain implants and -prostheses literally offer the prospect of a future in which blind, deaf and paralysed people can see, hear or communicate again. In a subsequent panel discussion they explored the socio-ethical implications of these developments together with medical ethicist Karin Jongsma (UMC Utrecht) and Peter-Paul Verbeek.
After three live editions on location, around 600 viewers found their way to the live stream of this exceptional online fourth edition of NWO's innovation festival on Tuesday 17 November. The fifth edition of TEKNOWLOGY, hopefully again accessible for everyone on location, will be on November 16, 2021 in DeFabrique.
