top of page

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.

-154136625110479363_IMG_1636.jpg
IMG_10069_RJ.jpg

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

Anchor 1
Anchor 2

OUR TEAM

ABOUT: Lab Members
_KTR0115.jpg

DANIEL WHITE

SENIOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
University of Cambridge

Dan is a senior research affiliate at the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence 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.

_KTR0116_edited_edited.jpg

OUR PROJECTS

DSCF0230b-Pepper-Embrace.jpg

MODEM

AfAR.Slide1.2.jpeg

AfAR

IMG_3165.jpg

AllI

Model Emotion

At the heart of Model Emotion is its ongoing ethnographic research project exploring the relationship between robots, AI, and the future of intimacy in Japan and the UK

Anthropology for Affective Robotics

AfAR is a workshop platform for building collaboration between anthropologists and engineers working in robotics, artificial intelligence, and informatics

AI  X  ALLY

Project AllI is an open and collaborative project between anthropologists, designers, artists, and engineers to reimagine the character of AI agents and assistants in society

Anchor 3
bottom of page