Neuroethics Lecture by Prof. Lomax Boyd (JHU): Engineering ‘intelligent’ neural systems: Insights from ethics and evolutionary neuroscience
Title: Engineering ‘intelligent’ neural systems: Insights from ethics and evolutionary neuroscience
Abstract: BEGIN OI aims to engineer biological neural systems for computation. These neuromorphic technologies may help advance our understanding of human cognition, build more energy efficient computing systems, or solve complex problems typically associated with embodied intelligence. Yet bioethicists argue that if such entities become conscious, they have ‘moral status’, which places limits on research. How shall we determine what is conscious? More generally, how should we conceptualize cognitive capacities in terms of biological computation and what would these conjectures means for ethics? Here, I will present insights into the public’s bioethics of consciousness. These results shed light on the public’s psychology of consciousness and how perceptions of benefit encroach on moral assessments of engineered systems that could be conscious. I will conclude by taking an evolutionary and computationally centric approach to defining the biological basis of cognition in engineered neural systems that may be informative for normative decision-making.
Note: A moderated discussion will follow the lecture.
Date and Time
Location
Hosts
Registration
- Date: 01 May 2025
- Time: 10:30 PM UTC to 12:30 AM UTC
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- 8125 Paint Branch Dr.
- College Park, Maryland
- United States 20742
- Building: Brendan Iribe Center for Computer Science and Engineering
- Room Number: 1207
- Click here for Map
- Starts 22 April 2025 04:00 AM UTC
- Ends 01 May 2025 04:00 AM UTC
- No Admission Charge
- Menu: Potbelly sandwich, Vegetarian sandwich, Vegan sandwich, Other dietary restriction (pabshire@umd.edu), No sandwich please
Speakers
Lomax Boyd of https://bioethics.jhu.edu/
Prof. Lomax Boyd, Johns Hopkins University
Lomax Boyd is an Assistant Research Professor and Civic Science Fellow in the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics.
Biography:
Speaker Bio: Lomax Boyd’s research focuses on the scientific and ethical questions raised by experimental models of the human brain, including human brain organoids, engrafted organoids, human brain chimeras, and genetically engineered nonhuman animals. His scientific studies into the genetic mechanisms regulating human brain size evolution and development has provoked curiosity and wonder about how we come to understanding human distinctiveness, but also raised ethical questions about how to seek, understand, and incorporate public epistemologies in discovery science. Previously, Lomax served as a Civic Science Fellow examining the ethical issues raised by human brain organoid technology. He has been funded by the Kavli Foundation to further study how epistemic or metaphysical belief systems influence public attitudes toward science. With support from the Dana Foundation, Dr. Boyd also develops pathways for neuroscience trainees to engage with social and ethical issues raised, or informed, by their research.
His current research seeks to utilize scientific, philosophical, and social science methods to explore the neurobiological basis, and ethical implications, of moral-status-conferring cognitive capacities in human brain models. Previously, Dr. Boyd conducted his postdoctoral research in the evolution of human speech and language circuits at The Rockefeller University after receiving his PhD in neurogenetics from Duke University.
Address:Maryland, United States
Agenda
6:00-6:30 Light Refreshments
6:30-7:30 Lecture
7:30-8:30 Moderated Discussion
This will be a hybrid event. We will order a selection of Potbelly sandwiches for anyone that plans to attend in person and registers by noon on Thursday May 1. If you have dietary restrictions please send email to pabshire@umd.edu
The in-person event will take place in Room 1207 of the Iribe Building on the campus of the University of Maryland, College Park. This building is labeled 432 and outlined in red on the campus map below. The closest parking is in Lots 11b, CC1, Regents Drive Garage (B & RR) , and C1. These lots are unrestricted for parking after 4pm and are colored green in the map below.
