CiS Southern Conference 2018 - Speaker Bios

Professor John Wyatt John Wyatt is Professor of Ethics and Perinatology at University College London and Honorary Consultant Neonatologist at University College London Hospitals. He is co- Principal Investigator for a research project based at the Faraday Institute investigating the implications for human self-understanding of recent advances in artificial intelligence and robotic technology. He is a frequent commentator on biomedical ethics and the wider implications of technological advances.

Reverend Dr Justin Tomkins Justin Tomkins, one of the co-directors of the “Faith, Technology and Tomorrow” project at St Mary’s Longfleet in Poole where he is the Associate Vicar. He brings a proven track record of working at the interface of science and technology, particularly through his work on Human Enhancement, one of the project topics. Justin has contributed to the Salisbury Diocese' 'Aldhelm Certificate' on faith and science; written material for the 'Christian's in Science' 'Thinking about...' series of information leaflets; and worked with 'CARE' on their Human Enhancement web resource linked to his book, Better People or Enhanced Humans?

Professor Peter Robinson Peter Robinson is Professor of Computer Technology in the Computer Laboratory at the University of Cambridge, where he leads the Rainbow Research Group working on computer graphics and interaction. His research concerns problems at the boundary between people and computers, investigating new technologies to enhance communication between computers and their users, and new applications to exploit these technologies. Together with John Wyatt, he has been involved in a TWCF-funded project on “The Science of Human Flourishing” that brings together leaders in the fields of science, technology and theology to examine some of the key elements that contribute to human flourishing.

Right Reverend Dr Steven Croft, Bishop Steven studied classics and theology before ordination. After being Archbishop’s Missioner and Leader of “Fresh Expressions, he was appointed as Bishop of . He became a member of the in 2013 and has been Bishop of Oxford since 2016. In his role in the House of Lords, he has been an influential member of the House of Lords Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence which has sought to develop a framework for ethical development and practice of AI in the UK. The result of this committee was the report, AI in the UK: ready, willing and able? More recently he has addressed issues on climate change and fossil fuels.

Dr Nick Higgs

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