Dr. Kate Darling

Research Scientist at the MIT Media Lab, Former Fellow of the Harvard Berkman Klein Centre for Internet & Society

Dr. Kate Darling is a renowned authority in the fields of social robotics and robot ethics. Serving as a research specialist at the MIT Media Lab, Kate has significantly advanced our comprehension of machine learning and its societal impacts. Her influential TED Talk, "Why We Have an Emotional Connection to Robots," which has garnered over 1.6 million views, delves into the complex emotions humans experience towards robots. Recognised by Robohub as one of the "25 Women in Robotics You Need to Know About" and by Thinkers50 as a Radar Thinker, Kate's stature in the scientific community is further cemented by NBC News, which lauds her as "one of the biggest names in science."

Kate's insights have been sought by numerous prestigious publications including The New Yorker, WIRED, The Guardian, BBC, The Atlantic, and Forbes. As a contributing writer for Robohub and IEEE Spectrum, she explores the intricate interplay between technology and society, particularly focusing on the legal aspects of robotics. Her expertise was acknowledged with the Mark T. Banner Award in Intellectual Property, highlighting her profound impact on IP law and her passionate advocacy for the field. These accolades reflect her deep engagement with the evolving relationship between technology and human values.

Her dynamic presence as a keynote speaker has been felt at high-profile events like The Conference 2015 on Human-Robot Relationships, Robot Ethics at Montreal in 2016, and WebTomorrow 2015, where she discussed near-term ethical, legal, and societal issues in robotics. Kate’s ability to address complex subjects in an accessible and thought-provoking manner makes her a sought-after speaker. Her appearances on popular podcasts such as Science Friday and Sam Harris' Waking Up Podcast further broaden her audience, allowing her to share her insights on human-robot bonds and the future of AI.

In addition to her speaking engagements, Kate is an accomplished author, co-writing "Creativity without Law: Challenging the Assumptions of Intellectual Property" in 2017 and contributing to "En Compagnie des Robots" in 2016. Her forward-looking approach ensures she remains at the cutting edge of policy discussions, addressing pressing questions about AI and robotics. Dr. Kate Darling’s unique ability to blend in-depth knowledge with engaging storytelling makes her an exceptional keynote speaker, highly sought after for events focusing on the future of technology and its ethical implications.

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