ABOUT MODEL EMOTION
OVERVIEW
CONNECTING HUMAN AND HARD SCIENCE RESEARCHERS
Model Emotion connects human and hard-science researchers thinking about how to apply artificial intelligence to better understand the diversity of human emotion and wellbeing. Organized by cultural anthropologists Daniel White (University of Cambridge) and Hirofumi Katsuno (Doshisha University), it features the ongoing research of its members who are exploring intersections between the culture of emerging emotional robotics (primarily in Japan and the UK), scientific research on artificial intelligence, and evolving affective relationships between humans, robots, and other forms of organic and artificial life.
AIMS
DESIGN, CREATE, COMMUNICATE, EXPLORE
1. DESIGN, conduct, and communicate ethnographic research on cultural changes in capacities for people to relate affectively to others brought about by interaction with robots, computers, and wearable technologies equipped with artificial emotional intelligence
2. CREATE platforms for anthropologists and other researchers in the humanities and social sciences to collaborate with engineers in designing emotion modeling practices that incorporate cultural and social diversity, improve discernment while avoiding bias, and cultivate sensitivity and awareness of the broader social effects of engineering emotional AI
3. COMMUNICATE ongoing scientific research on AI in order to facilitate public engagement and discussion on the legal, political, ethical, and philosophical dimensions of engineering AI with emotional intelligence and agency
4. EXPLORE new partnerships between the humanities and hard-science research for evaluating the effects of technologies with artificial emotional intelligence on affective wellbeing
OUR TEAM
DANIEL WHITE
SENIOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
University of Cambridge
Dan is a senior research associate in the Department of Social Anthropology at the University of Cambridge. Trained in cultural anthropology (PhD, Rice University), he conducts research on cross-cultural approaches to affect and emotion in cultural policy, public institutions, and in the fields of affective computing and artificial emotional intelligence in Japan, Europe, and North America.
HIROFUMI KATSUNO
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Doshisha University
Hiro is an associate professor of media studies and anthropology in the Faculty of Social Studies at Doshisha University. Trained in cultural anthropology (PhD, University of Hawaiʻi), he researchers the socio-cultural impact of new media technologies, particularly focusing on the formation of presence in technologically mediated environments.
OUR PROJECTS
MODEM
AfAR
