A few years ago I built a robot that autonomously rakes a zen garden. That is all it does! Which begs the question..... should it exist? Well it exists and the zen gardener invariably brings out in humans a modern anxiety about autonomous technologies. I get it, from A.I. to I.O.T. designing technologies that 'improve humanity' is my work. But the recent trend of technology emulating humanity has humans worried! This session will name the source of our anxiety (peak technology) explore its emotional & moral impacts (escapism from humanity) & propose solutions. (creating abundance) This will be indulgent futurism grounded by examples of interactive art & graphic future vision pieces that build to a better model for an autonomous future with a twist at the end that would make Asimov proud!

Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.