Am 20. April 2026 ist das Buch „Tier-Maschine-Interaktion“ von Prof. Dr. Oliver Bendel bei Springer Gabler erschienen. Es gehört zur Essentials-Reihe, in der schmale Bücher (50 – 60 Seiten) erscheinen, in denen alles auf den Punkt gebracht wird. Das Forschungsfeld hat Überschneidungen mit der Tier-Computer-Interaktion (Animal-Computer Interaction). Man spricht auch von Animal-Machine Interaction. Aus dem Klappentext: „Dieses essential gibt eine kompakte Einführung in die Disziplin bzw. das Forschungs- und Anwendungsfeld der Tier-Maschine-Interaktion (TMI). Es zeigt, wie Tiere und Maschinen in unterschiedlichen Kontexten zusammentreffen und miteinander bestehen, welche Chancen und Risiken sich daraus ergeben und welche Perspektiven sich für Wissenschaft, Wirtschaft und Politik eröffnen. Ziel ist es, die Leser für die Potenziale und Herausforderungen der Tier-Maschine-Interaktion zu sensibilisieren, Orientierung im interdisziplinären Diskurs zu geben und Anregungen für Forschung, Entwicklung und Entscheidungsprozesse zu liefern.“ Oliver Bendel beschäftigt sich seit 2012 mit der Tier-Maschine-Interaktion und hat mehrere tierfreundliche Maschinen entwickelt. Dies ist nach zahlreichen Artikeln und Buchbeiträgen sein erstes Buch zu diesem Forschungsfeld. Es enthält zwei Abbildungen, drei Tabellen und mehrere Boxen mit Definitionen und Hintergrundinformationen. Es kann über link.springer.com/book/9783658509200 heruntergeladen bzw. erstanden werden.
Abb.: Oliver Bendel in seinem Büro (Foto: Jork Weismann)
The Animal-Computer Interaction International Conference 2026 (ACI 2026) invites contributions for its thirteenth edition. The conference seeks theoretical, methodological, empirical, and ethical work that advances dialogue around animal-centered research and the design of computing-enabled systems. ACI brings together perspectives from computer science, informatics, engineering, interaction design, animal behavior and welfare science, veterinary science, ecology, sociology, philosophy, and related disciplines, with the aim of further developing Animal-Computer Interaction as a field. In an increasingly networked world shaped by pervasive technologies, animals – both human and nonhuman – are entangled in complex webs of interaction. These interactions may be direct or indirect, physical or cognitive, distributed or dyadic, synchronous or asynchronous. Contributions are encouraged that critically examine how technology shapes human-animal relationships, how large-scale technological deployments affect animals, and how future systems can be designed responsibly and ethically. The conference also welcomes submissions in Animal-Machine Interaction (AMI), which explores interaction and communication between animals and machines, including autonomous systems such as drones and robots. AMI focuses on designing machines that benefit animals and safeguard their interests, supporting survival and well-being. The submission deadline for Research Papers and Emerging Work Papers has been extended by two weeks and is now May 15, 2026. The deadline for Workshop Proposals remains unchanged at June 1, 2026. All submissions will be peer-reviewed. Further information is available at www.aciconf.org, and submission details can be found at www.aciconf.org/call-for-contributions.
Ticro Goto ist Historiker und Ethnologe. Er studierte an der Kunsthochschule Kassel, der Freien Universität Berlin und der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. Zu seinen Veröffentlichungen zählen „Cyberfakte“ (2016), „Der Ewige Palast“ (2024) und „Kreativer Suizid: Rauchen, Hunger und die Lüge vom inneren Kind“. Er schreibt und forscht auch zu Schweinen und hat ihnen in seinem Buch „Seuchen“ ein ganzes Kapitel gewidmet. Mit Prof. Dr. Oliver Bendel war er im Gespräch über Tierethik, Maschinenethik und Tier-Maschine-Interaktion. Der Podcast erschien am 28. März 2026 auf kokos-und-zitrone.de. Zuletzt kamen dort Pero Mićić, Falco Aust und Gunter Dueck zu Wort. Auf seiner Website schreibt Ticro Goto: „Oliver Bendel und ich sprechen darüber, warum wir Maschinen bauen mussten, um zu beweisen, dass Tiere keine Maschinen sind. Über Mähroboter mit Gewissen und Schweine, die klüger sind als Hunde. Über KI, die Walgesang entschlüsselt und Fledertieren beim Streiten zuhört.“ Der Podcast mit dem Titel „Die Sprache der Tiere“ kann über kokos-und-zitrone.de/p/die-sprache-der-tiere angehört werden.
Arianna Ferrari, PhD, and Dr. iur. Dr. h.c. Antoine F. Goetschel will deliver the conference keynote addresses at the Animal-Computer Interaction International Conference 2026 (ACI 2026) at the FHNW Campus Brugg-Windisch, Switzerland. Arianna Ferrari, PhD, is based at the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, Austria’s largest research and technology organization. She is an ethicist and philosopher of science and technology with extensive experience in technology assessment, the critical evaluation of visions of technological futures (vision assessment), foresight, and human-animal studies. Dr. iur. Dr. h.c. Antoine F. Goetschel is a lawyer and former official animal lawyer for the Canton of Zurich in Switzerland. For more than three decades, he has worked at the intersection of law, ethics, and public policy, representing the interests of animals within legal systems and contributing to the development of animal protection standards at both national and international levels. The ACI International Conference is the leading conference in the field of animal-computer interaction. This year, the conference, hosted by Prof. Dr. Oliver Bendel, will include a dedicated call for contributions on animal-machine interaction. Further information is available at www.aciconf.org.
Fig.: The FHNW Campus Brugg-Windisch (Foto: WEISSWERT C. Morin & M. Indermaur)
The Animal-Computer Interaction International Conference 2026 (ACI 2026) invites contributions for its thirteenth edition. The conference seeks theoretical, methodological, empirical, and ethical work that advances dialogue around animal-centered research and the design of computing-enabled systems. ACI brings together perspectives from computer science, informatics, engineering, interaction design, animal behavior and welfare science, veterinary science, ecology, sociology, philosophy, and related disciplines, with the aim of further developing Animal-Computer Interaction as a field. In an increasingly networked world shaped by pervasive technologies, animals – both human and nonhuman – are entangled in complex webs of interaction. These interactions may be direct or indirect, physical or cognitive, distributed or dyadic, synchronous or asynchronous. Contributions are encouraged that critically examine how technology shapes human-animal relationships, how large-scale technological deployments affect animals, and how future systems can be designed responsibly and ethically. The conference also welcomes submissions in Animal-Machine Interaction (AMI), which explores interaction and communication between animals and machines, including autonomous systems such as drones and robots. AMI focuses on designing machines that benefit animals and safeguard their interests, supporting survival and well-being. Research Papers and Emerging Work Papers are due May 1, 2026, and Workshop Proposals are due June 1, 2026. All submissions will be peer-reviewed. Further information is available at www.aciconf.org, and submission details can be found at www.aciconf.org/call-for-contributions.
The project PetPause was announced by Oliver Bendel at the FHNW School of Business and is set to begin in February 2026. It introduces a pet-controlled pause system for devices and machines used in everyday domestic environments. Pets such as dogs and cats regularly interact with automated systems including feeding machines, toys, robots, and smart home devices, yet they usually have no way to influence when these machines operate. Continuous activity, noise, or movement can cause stress, anxiety, or even injury. PetPause enables animals to actively pause machines through a simple, physically accessible interface such as a button, floor sensor, or capacitive switch. When triggered, the machine automatically enters a predefined pause or rest mode, for example by stopping movement or silencing sounds. The system avoids cameras, animal detection, and data collection, relying solely on deliberate physical interaction. By combining technical simplicity with ethical consideration, PetPause demonstrates how machines can respect animal well-being without monitoring or surveillance.
The project NestGuard Lite was announced by Oliver Bendel at the FHNW School of Business and is set to begin in February 2026. NestGuard Lite is a lightweight protection system designed to safeguard nesting and breeding sites of wild animals such as ground-nesting birds, small mammals, and amphibians. These animals are often endangered by lawn mowers, robotic mowers, agricultural machines, drones, and construction or maintenance vehicles, which can unintentionally destroy nests or cause serious injuries. Unlike existing approaches that rely on cameras, animal detection, or manual markings, NestGuard Lite avoids surveillance and classification altogether. Instead, the environment provides the signal: passive markers or local radio zones inform machines that they are approaching a sensitive area. Upon detection, a machine automatically switches into a predefined protection mode, for example by slowing down, disabling tools, rerouting, or stopping. The system does not identify animals or assess their condition; it merely signals the need for caution. The project focuses on technical simplicity, robustness, and ethical soundness. It will result in a functional prototype that is tested in a controlled setting, demonstrating how machines can protect wildlife without monitoring or tracking animals.
Fig.: A system designed to safeguard nesting and breeding sites
Prof. Dr. Oliver Bendel will host the next ACI Conference, bringing the event to continental Europe for the first time as it convenes on the FHNW campus in Brugg-Windisch, Switzerland, from December 2-5, 2026. The conference website is already online at www.aciconf.org, where the most important information is available; individual deadlines may still change. In the meantime, the website has been updated and expanded. It now includes visual elements that reference both the animal world of Switzerland and the thematic focus of the conference, strengthening its visual identity and contextual framing. Building on a tradition that has taken the community from Glasgow to North Carolina, Newcastle, Bloomington, Milton Keynes, Haifa, and Atlanta, this edition continues the conference’s role as a leading venue for advancing Animal-Computer Interaction. As the field grows, researchers and practitioners explore how technology shapes animals’ lives, welfare, cognition, and social dynamics while developing animal-centered systems and methods that embrace multispecies perspectives. The conference maintains its commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration across biology, technology, and cultural studies, supporting work that seeks to design ethically grounded, welfare-enhancing, and inclusive technological futures for all animals, humans included. ACI 2026 will also feature a Special Issue on Animal-Machine Interaction, a research field shaped in important ways by Oliver Bendel. The conference proceedings will be published in a volume of a renowned organization, ensuring wide visibility and long-term accessibility for the contributions presented.
Seit 20. Dezember 2025 ist das Buch „Tier-Maschine-Interaktion“ von Prof. Dr. Oliver Bendel bei Springer Nature Link verzeichnet. Laut Verlag erscheint es im März 2026. Am Anfang wird der Inhalt skizziert: „Dieses essential gibt eine kompakte Einführung in die Disziplin bzw. das Forschungs- und Anwendungsfeld der Tier-Maschine-Interaktion (TMI). Es zeigt, wie Tiere und Maschinen in unterschiedlichen Kontexten zusammentreffen und miteinander bestehen, welche Chancen und Risiken sich daraus ergeben und welche Perspektiven sich für Wissenschaft, Wirtschaft und Politik eröffnen. Ziel ist es, die Leser für die Potenziale und Herausforderungen der Tier-Maschine-Interaktion zu sensibilisieren, Orientierung im interdisziplinären Diskurs zu geben und Anregungen für Forschung, Entwicklung und Entscheidungsprozesse zu liefern.“ Es ist das erste Buch zu diesem Forschungsfeld. Es enthält zwei Abbildungen, drei Tabellen und mehrere Boxen mit Definitionen und Hintergrundinformationen.
Am 18. November 2025 hat Prof. Dr. Oliver Bendel bei Springer Gabler sein neues Manuskript abgegeben. Im Frühjahr 2026 erscheint das schmale Buch mit dem Titel „Tier-Maschine-Interaktion“. Am Anfang wird der Inhalt skizziert: „Dieses Essential gibt eine kompakte Einführung in die Disziplin bzw. das Forschungs- und Anwendungsfeld der Tier-Maschine-Interaktion (TMI). Es zeigt, wie Tiere und Maschinen in unterschiedlichen Kontexten zusammentreffen und miteinander bestehen, welche Chancen und Risiken sich daraus ergeben und welche Perspektiven sich für Wissenschaft, Wirtschaft und Politik eröffnen. Ziel ist es, die Leser für die Potenziale und Herausforderungen der Tier-Maschine-Interaktion zu sensibilisieren, Orientierung im interdisziplinären Diskurs zu geben und Anregungen für Forschung, Entwicklung und Entscheidungsprozesse zu liefern.“ Es ist das erste Buch zu diesem Thema. Es enthält zwei Abbildungen, drei Tabellen und mehrere Boxen mit Definitionen und Hintergrundinformationen.
Abb.: Oliver Bendel am Campus Brugg-Windisch (Foto: Jork Weismann)
„Just.Us + Animal Welfare“ is a lecture series organized by Department 10 Veterinary Medicine to promote animal welfare at Justus Liebig University Giessen. On November 12, 2025, Prof. Dr. Oliver Bendel gave a lecture on „Bao meets Pluto: Grundlagen und Beispiele der Tier-Maschine-Interaktion“ („Bao meets Pluto: Fundamentals and examples of animal-machine interaction“). Animal-machine interaction deals with the encounter and coexistence of animals and machines – from classic devices to vehicles, aircraft, and agricultural machinery to networked, autonomous robots and AI systems. The focus is on perception through sensors and senses, interaction and communication between animals and machines, and the question of how these encounters can be designed technically, organizationally, and ethically in such a way that risks for animals are reduced and potential for them and for humans is tapped. In his lecture, Oliver Bendel laid out the fundamentals of animal-machine interaction and described prototypes and projects. He also outlined what is possible and to be expected in this field of research in the coming years, for example in connection with robotic quadrupeds and bipeds. The online lecture was followed by 660 listeners. Further information is available at www.uni-giessen.de/de/fbz/zentren/icar3r/akademie/justus.
Fig.: Oliver Bendel with his Bao (Photo: Selina Rohr)
Das Projekt „The Robodog Project: Bao Meets Pluto“ untersuchte, wie Haushunde auf den vierbeinigen Roboter Unitree Go2 – von Projektinitiator Prof. Dr. Oliver Bendel Bao genannt – reagieren und wie ihre Halter solche Roboter in gemeinsam genutzten öffentlichen Räumen wahrnehmen. Das Projekt begann Ende März 2025 und wurde Anfang August 2025 abgeschlossen. Die Studie befasste sich mit drei Fragen: 1. Wie reagieren Hunde verhaltensmäßig auf einen vierbeinigen Roboter in sechs definierten Durchläufen, nämlich stationär, gehend und springend im Originalzustand sowie stationär, gehend und springend mit einem zusätzlichen 3D-gedruckten Hundekopf? 2. Welche Erwartungen und Bedenken haben die Halter? 3. Welche regulatorischen Rahmenbedingungen könnten eine sichere Integration unterstützen? Zwölf Hunde wurden in sechs strukturierten Interaktionsphasen beobachtet; ihr Verhalten wurde mithilfe von BORIS videokodiert. Vorgespräche mit acht Haltern sowie ein Experteninterview mit der Biologin und Hundetrainerin Dr. Sabrina Karl lieferten zusätzliche Erkenntnisse. Die Studie unter der Leitung von Selina Rohr ergab, dass die meisten Hunde vorsichtig, aber nicht aggressiv waren. Das Interesse nahm zu, sobald sich der Roboter bewegte, während visuelle Modifikationen kaum Wirkung zeigten. Ein 3D-gedruckter Hundekopf hingegen schien die Hunde im Standmodus zu faszinieren. Hergestellt und zur Verfügung gestellt wurde er von Norman Eskera. Häufig suchten die Tiere die Orientierung bei ihren Haltern, was die Bedeutung menschlicher Vermittlung unterstreicht. Die Halter zeigten sich vorsichtig aufgeschlossen, betonten jedoch Bedenken hinsichtlich Sicherheit, Unberechenbarkeit und Haftung. Die Ergebnisse sprechen für eine an Drohnen orientierte Regulierung beim Einsatz solcher Roboter im öffentlichen Raum.
Animal-machine interaction (AMI) is a discipline or field of work that deals with the interaction between animals and machines. This is how Prof. Dr. Oliver Bendel explains it in the Gabler Wirtschaftslexikon. It is primarily concerned with the design, evaluation, and implementation of complex machines and computer systems with which animals interact and which in turn interact and communicate with animals. There are close links to animal-computer interaction (ACI). Increasingly, the machine is a robot that is either remote-controlled or (partially) autonomous. In „The Robodog Project“ – also known as „Bao Meets Pluto“ – the encounters between robotic quadrupeds and small to medium-sized dogs are explored. The project collaborator is Selinar Rohr, who is writing her bachelor’s thesis in this context. The walking, running, and jumping Unitree Go2 from Oliver Bendel’s private Social Robots Lab is in its original state or is wearing a head made with a 3D printer provided by Norman Eskera. The project is being carried out at the FHNW School of Business and will end on August 12, 2025, after which the results will be presented to the community and, if possible, to the general public.
Fig.: The project is about encounters between robotic quadrupeds and dogs
The edited volume „Animals, Ethics, and Engineering: Intersections and Implications“ will be published by Jenny Stanford in August 2025. It can already be pre-ordered via online stores. These provide the following information: „‚Animals, Ethics, and Engineering: Intersections and Implications‘ is a seminal work that explores the intricate relationship between technology, ethics, and the welfare of nonhuman animals. Edited by Rosalyn W. Berne, this volume brings together leading scholars and practitioners to examine the ethical responsibilities inherent in technological progress and its impact on animal well-being.“ (Information Publisher) The authors include Clara Mancini, Fiona French, Abraham Gibson, Nic Carey, Kurt Reymers, and Oliver Bendel. Rosalyn W. Berne is the Anne Shirley Carter Olsson Professor of Applied Ethics and Chair of the Department of Engineering and Society, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Virginia, where she has been a faculty member since 1999 and co-directs the Online Ethics Center for Engineering and Science (OEC).
Since 2012, Oliver Bendel has developed 14 concepts and artifacts in the field of animal-computer interaction (ACI) or animal-machine interaction (AMI) together with his students. They can be divided into three categories. The first are animal- and nature-friendly concepts. The second are animal-friendly machines and systems (i.e., forms of moral machines). The third are animal-inspired machines and systems that replace the animals or bring them closer to you. Articles and book chapters have been published on many of the projects. The names of the developers can be found in these. A few prototypes made it into the media, such as LADYBIRD and HAPPY HEDGEHOG. Oliver Bendel repeatedly refers to Clara Mancini, the pioneer in the field of animal-computer interaction. Recently, ethicists such as Peter Singer have also turned their attention to the topic. Current projects include „Robodog“ (in which a robot dog meets real dogs) and „VISUAL“ (which is designed to enable photo safaris for the blind).
Robotic four-legged friends – often referred to as robot dogs – are becoming more and more widespread. As a result, they will also encounter more and more real dogs. The question is how to design, control, and program the robot in such a way that the animals do not overreact and cause no harm to robots, animals, or bystanders. As part of “The Robodog Project”, smaller dogs are to be confronted with a walking, running, and jumping Unitree Go2. The plan is to visit controllable environments such as dog training grounds and arrange meetings with dog owners. The findings will lead to suggestions for design and control. Robot enhancement can also play a role here. For example, hobbyists have produced heads for Unitree Go2 using a 3D printer, giving the robot a completely different look. Suggestions for programming will also be made. The project is due to start at the FHNW School of Business in March 2024. It is part of Prof. Dr. Oliver Bendel’s research in the field of animal-machine interaction.
Since 2012, Oliver Bendel has developed 13 concepts and artifacts in the field of animal-computer interaction (ACI) or animal-machine interaction (AMI) together with his students. They can be divided into three categories. The first are animal- and nature-friendly concepts. The second are animal-friendly machines and systems (i.e., forms of moral machines). The third are animal-inspired machines and systems that replace the animals or bring them closer to you. Articles and book chapters have been published on many of the projects. The names of the developers can be found in these. A few prototypes made it into the media, such as LADYBIRD and HAPPY HEDGEHOG. Oliver Bendel repeatedly refers to Clara Mancini, the pioneer in the field of animal-computer interaction. Recently, ethicists such as Peter Singer have also turned their attention to the topic.
The International Conference on Animal-Computer Interaction (ACI) took place at the University of Glasgow from December 2 to 5, 2024. Clara Mancini and Fiona French are among the pillars of the ACI. Clara Mancini, PhD, is professor of animal-computer interaction (ACI) and founding director of the Open University ACI Laboratory. Her work explores the interaction between animals and technology, and the nexus between technology, animal well-being and justice, and human-animal relationships. Her research spans the theory, methodology, practice, and ethics of designing animal-centered interactive systems for and with animals to contribute to a more just and inclusive multispecies society. She is a co-founder of the ACI and has been promoting animal-centered research and design across disciplines for over a decade, organizing numerous scientific events and serving on various scientific committees. Dr. Fiona French is an associate professor in the School of Computing and Digital Media of the London Metropolitan University. She is course leader for the BSc Games Programming and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Her research interests are in the area of animal-computer interaction. Prof. Dr. Oliver Bendel attended the ACI International Conference 2022 and 2024. He has been conducting research in the field of animal-computer interaction and animal-machine interaction since 2012. Dr. Ilyena Hirskyj-Douglas (University of Glasgow) was the host of ACI 2024.
Fig.: Clara Mancini, Fiona French, and Oliver Bendel at the reception of the ACI 2024 (Photo: Jonathan Traynor)
Chinesische, indische und amerikanische Medien berichten immer wieder über die tierfreundlichen Maschinen und Systeme von Prof. Dr. Oliver Bendel. In seinem Studium ab 1987 war Tierethik einer seiner Schwerpunkte. Später verband er diese mit Maschinenethik und Sozialer Robotik und sprach sich für ein Arbeitsgebiet namens Animal-Machine Interaction aus, inspiriert von der Disziplin der Animal-Computer Interaction, die auf Clara Mancini zurückgeht. Bekannte Prototypen sind LADYBIRD und HAPPY HEDGEHOG. Das Projekt zu dem igelfreundlichen Mähroboter wurde 2019 durchgeführt. Das Paper „The HAPPY HEDGEHOG Project“ wurde Anfang 2021 beim Symposium „Machine Learning for Mobile Robot Navigation in the Wild“ im Rahmen der AAAI 2021 Spring Symposium Series vorgestellt. Nachdem es jahrelang über ein Google-Verzeichnis verfügbar war, kann es inzwischen über arxiv.org/abs/2401.03358 heruntergeladen werden. Damit wird es auch wieder verstärkt wahrgenommen. Die chinesische Plattform CSDN.net hat es am 9. Januar 2024 in der Rubrik „Daily Robotics Papers“ aufgeführt. Prof. Dr. Peter Singer beschäftigt sich seit kurzem ebenfalls mit dem Themenkomplex AI and Animals. In seinem Artikel „AI ethics: the case for including animals“ (zusammen mit Yip Fai Tse) vom Juli 2022 erwähnt er die Arbeit des Forschers aus Zürich.
Im privat finanzierten Social Robots Lab von Prof. Dr. Oliver Bendel ist seit Dezember 2023 der Unitree Go2 zu finden. Er hört auf den Namen Bao (chin. für „Juwel“ oder „Schatz“). Heise schreibt in einem Artikel: „Das Basismodell des Go2 ist am Kopf mit einem Lidar ausgestattet, das ein halbkugelförmiges Sichtfeld mit 90 vertikal und 360 Grad horizontal besitzt. Die Mindestreichweite des Lidar beträgt etwa 5 cm. Damit kann der Roboter im Gelände selbstständig navigieren, Hindernisse erkennen und sie auch umgehen. Der Roboter läuft mit einer Geschwindigkeit von bis zu 2,5 m/s und zeigt sich dabei äußerst agil. … Mit an Bord ist auch eine 2-Megapixel-Kamera, mit der Schnappschüsse und Videos aufgenommen werden können.“ (Heise News, 27. Juli 2023) Ein Anliegen des Wirtschaftsinformatikers und Technikphilosophen ist, bei der Tier-Maschine-Interaktion (Animal-Machine Interaction) voranzuschreiten. Dieses Arbeitsgebiet wurde von ihm im Jahre 2013 in seinem Beitrag „Considerations about the Relationship between Animal and Machine Ethics“ definiert, in Anlehnung an den Begriff der Animal-Computer Interaction, deren Pionierin Clara Mancini ist. Seit dieser Zeit entwickelte er mehrere Artefakte und Konzepte in diesem Bereich, darunter Robocar (Modellierung für tierfreundliche Autos), LADYBIRD (Prototyp eines insektenfreundlichen Staubsaugerroboters), HAPPY HEDGEHOG (Prototyp eines igelfreundlichen Staubsaugerroboters) und ANIFACE (Konzept für ein System mit Gesichtserkennung zur Identifizierung von Braunbären). Mit Bao sollen Reaktionen von Haus-, Nutz- und Wildtieren getestet werden. Ziel ist es, Roboter nicht nur menschen-, sondern auch tierfreundlich zu gestalten.
The online event „Artificial Intelligence & Animals“ will take place on 16 September 2023. „AI experts and attorneys will discuss the intersection of AI and animals in this UIA Animal Law Commission and GW Animal Law webinar“ (Website Eventbrite) Speakers are Prof. Dr. Oliver Bendel (FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland), Yip Fai Tse (University Center for Human Values, Center for Information Technology Policy, Princeton University), and Sam Tucker (CEO VegCatalyst, AI-Powered Marketing, Melbourne). Panelists are Ian McDougall (Executive Vice President and General Counsel, LexisNexis London), Jamie McLaughlin (Animal Law Commission Vice President, UIA), and Joan Schaffner (Associate Professor of Law, George Washington University). Oliver Bendel „has been thinking on animal ethics since the 1980s and on information and machine ethics since the 1990s“. „Since 2012, he has been systematically researching machine ethics, combining it with animal ethics and animal welfare. With his changing teams, he develops animal-friendly robots and AI systems.“ (Website Eventbrite) Yip Fai Tse co-wrote the article „AI ethics: the case for including animals“ with Peter Singer. Sam Tucker is an animal rights activist.
The Tenth International Conference on Animal-Computer Interaction will be held December 4-8, 2023, in Raleigh, North Carolina, hosted by North Carolina State University. „ACI is the leading International Conference on Animal-Computer Interaction. It is a highly multidisciplinary event drawing researchers and practitioners from diverse backgrounds to share and discuss work and topics related to the research and design of computing-enabled and interactive technology for and with animals.“ (Website ACI) The Ninth International Conference on Animal-Computer Interaction was held in Newcastle upon Tyne at the end of 2022. Also this year the organizers are interested in a variety of topics in animal-computer interaction and animal-machine interaction, as the call for papers (CfP) reveals: „Submissions might address topics such as: the role of technology in shaping human-animal relationships; studies and/or analysis of large-scale technology for animal deployments; considerations on the wider context of technology for animal use; methods and reflections on studying the next generation of technology for animals; or how to conduct ACI research in a world where commercial design and deployment of technology for animals outpaces academic thought.“ (Website ACI) The CfP can be accessed at www.aciconf.org/aci2023.
Fig.: The William B. Umstead State Park in North Carolina
