Who Says Debates Are Only for Humans?

The 18th International Conference on Social Robotics (ICSR + Art 2026) will take place in London, UK, from 1–4 July 2026. ICSR is the leading international forum that brings together researchers, academics, and industry professionals from across disciplines to advance the field of social robotics. This year’s conference combines cutting-edge research in social robotics with a unique focus on artistic and creative applications of robotics. One of the highlights of the conference will be the debate programme on 2 July 2026, which promises a day of lively discussions on some of the most important questions shaping social robotics, society, and the arts. The debates will explore themes ranging from education and healthcare to fashion, human-robot interaction research, and the future of the human body, bringing together researchers, practitioners, artists, and technologists from diverse backgrounds. Combining critical reflection with creative provocation, the programme encourages participants to rethink what social robots can be, what roles they might play, and how they may transform our societies in the future. And who says debates are only for humans? The programme even includes a social robot that will have the opportunity to answer back. Those interested in the full range of debate topics and participants can find further information at icsr2026.uk/debates/.

Fig.: Euclid will be there for the debate (Photo: ICSR)