2026 · Philosophy & Technology
Who Queered the Sex Robot? Notes on Attribution and Conceptual History: Commentary on “Queering Sex Robots Beyond Diversifying Design? Insights from Queer Lacanian Psychoanalysis and New Materialism” by Maaike van der Horst and Anna Puzio Philosophy & Technology (March 2026) ↗Open accessBioethics and Human Rights Issues
Abstract
Abstract This commentary discusses Maaike van der Horst and Anna Puzio’s article “Queering Sex Robots Beyond Diversifying Design? Insights from Queer Lacanian Psychoanalysis and New Materialism”. While acknowledging the article’s valuable contribution, particularly its integration of Queer Lacanian Psychoanalysis and New Materialism, the commentary argues that its account of prior scholarship is incomplete. Several key themes and proposals presented as novel – including critiques of humanoid mimicry, new-materialist approaches to sexuality and technology, queer design concepts, relational ontology, and transformative sex robot forms – had already been developed in earlier work by Tanja Kubes and Oliver Bendel. The omission of these contributions affects assessments of originality, the reconstruction of the field’s intellectual development, and the allocation of scholarly credit. The commentary therefore calls for a more comprehensive scholarly genealogy of queer and new-materialist approaches to sex robots and argues that careful citation practices are essential to maintaining the integrity of academic discourse.
2026 · Mabuse-Verlag eBooks · book-chapter
Liebespuppen und Sexroboter in Alten- und Pflegeheimen ↗Social Robot Interaction and HRI
2026 · Essentials · book-chapter
Beispiele für Anwendungen der Tier-Maschine-Interaktion ↗Innovative Human-Technology Interaction
2026 · Essentials · book-chapter
Perspektiven und Verfahren für die Umsetzung ↗2026 · Essentials · book-chapter
Wirtschaftliche Bedeutung der Tier-Maschine-Interaktion ↗Agricultural Engineering and Mechanization
2026 · Essentials · book-chapter
Begriffe und Grundlagen ↗Human-Animal Interaction Studies
2026 · Essentials · book
Tier-Maschine-Interaktion ↗Human-Animal Interaction Studies
2026 · Essentials · book-chapter
Zusammenfassung und Ausblick ↗2026 · Essentials · book-chapter
Einführung ↗Human-Animal Interaction Studies
2025 · Lecture notes in computer science · conference-paper
Wearable Social Robots for the Disabled and Impaired ↗Social Robot Interaction and HRI
2025 · Lecture notes in computer science · conference-paper
Small Talk with a Robot Reduces Stress and Improves Mood ↗Social Robot Interaction and HRI
2025 · Lecture notes in computer science · conference-paper
Wearable Social Robots in Space ↗Social Robot Interaction and HRI
2025 · Scientific Reports · erratum
Correction: I speak Tele outlines the design of a digitized dysarthria assessment ↗Abstract
The original version of this Article contained an error in the names of Sharmila Selvanayakam, Sandra Giovanoli, Amelieke Slot, Elisa Du, Thomas Menard, Oliver Bendel, Chris Easthope Awai and Christoph Michael Bauer, which were incorrectly given as Selvanayakam Sharmila, Giovanoli Sandra, Slot Amelieke, Du Elisa, Menard Thomas, Bendel Oliver, Easthope Awai Chris and Bauer Christoph Michael.
2025 · Proceedings of the AAAI Symposium Series · conference-paper
Revisiting the Trolley Problem for AI: Biases and Stereotypes in Large Language Models and their Impact on Ethical Decision-Making ↗Open accessFree PDF ↗Ethics and Social Impacts of AI Abstract
The trolley problem has long served as a lens for exploring moral decision-making, now gaining renewed significance in the context of artificial intelligence (AI). This study investigates ethical reasoning in three open-source large language models (LLMs), LLaMA, Mistral and Qwen, through variants of the trolley problem. By introducing demographic prompts (age, nationality and gender) into three scenarios (switch, loop and footbridge), we systematically evaluate LLM responses against human survey data from the Moral Machine experiment. Our findings reveal notable differences: Mistral exhibits a consistent tendency to overintervene, while Qwen chooses to intervene less and LLaMA balances between the two. Notably demographic attributes, particularly nationality, significantly influence LLM decisions, exposing potential biases in AI ethical reasoning. These insights underscore the necessity of refining LLMs to ensure fairness and ethical alignment, leading the way for more trustworthy AI systems.
2025 · Proceedings of the AAAI Symposium Series · conference-paper
Miss Tammy as a Use Case for Moral Prompt Engineering ↗AI ActOpen accessFree PDF ↗Speech and dialogue systems Abstract
This paper describes an LLM-based chatbot as a use case for moral prompt engineering. Miss Tammy, as it is called, was created between February 2024 and February 2025 at the FHNW School of Business as a custom GPT. Different types of prompt engineering were used. In addition, RAG was applied by building a knowledge base with a collection of netiquettes. These usually guide the behavior of users in communities but also seem to be useful to control the actions of chatbots and make them competent in relation to the behavior of humans. The tests with pupils aged between 14 and 16 showed that the custom GPT had significant advantages over the standard GPT-4o model in terms of politeness, appropriateness, and clarity. It is suitable for de-escalating conflicts and steering dialogues in the right direction. It can therefore contribute to users’ well-being and is a step forward in human-compatible AI.
2025 · book-chapter
An Investigation into the Encounter between Social Robots and Animals ↗Social Robot Interaction and HRI
Abstract
Increasingly, social robots and certain service robots encounter, whether this is planned or not, domestic, farm, or wild animals. They react differently, some interested, some disinterested, some lethargic, some panicked. Research needs to turn more to animalrobot relationships, and to work with engineers to design these relationships in ways that promote animal welfare and reduce animal suffering. This chapter is about social robots that are designed for animals, but also those that, for different, rather unpredictable reasons, meet, interact, and communicate with animals. It also considers animal-friendly machines that have emerged in the context of machine ethics. In the discussion section, the author explores the question of which of the presented robots are to be understood as social robots and what their differences are in their purpose and in their relationship to animals. In addition, social and ethical aspects are addressed.
2025 · Frontiers in artificial intelligence and applications · book-chapter
The Social Significance of Human Effort: What Parameters for a Positive Human-Robot Interaction in the Context of Industry 5.0? ↗Ethics and Social Impacts of AI
Abstract
This workshop aims to develop a roadmap for understanding the impact of robotics on human employment within the context of Industry 5.0. It explores key factors in this transition, including the risks and benefits of digital automation, ethical considerations regarding worker skills and well-being, and protective measures for workers and consumers. Focusing on the theme of sociocultural risks, the workshop aims to reflect on traditional notions of work, productivity, and the value of human labor in the era of advancing robotics and automation. It challenges the concept of labor devaluation, assesses its impact on worker recognition and efficiency, and questions meritocratic paradigms. To facilitate interdisciplinary dialogue, the workshop engages philosophers and engineers in addressing ethical dilemmas in technology development. It explores the social significance of human effort and movement when interacting with autonomous robots and occupational exoskeletons. By examining these technologies’ adaptability and role in human-machine interaction, especially in workplaces, the workshop intends to contribute to discussions on technological advances and their societal implications.
2025 · Frontiers in artificial intelligence and applications · book-chapter
Robots at Arm’s Length: Unveiling the Dynamics of Interpersonal Distance Preferences in Human-Robot Interactions ↗Social Robot Interaction and HRI
Abstract
In social interactions, interpersonal distance influences relationships, provides protection, and regulates arousal. Despite the intuitive nature of adopting specific distances, little is known about comfortable interpersonal distances with social robots. Here, 66 participants saw individuals standing face-to-face with a robot at different distances and pressed a button when seeing a woman or a man (in different blocks). In line with the negativity bias hypothesis, suggesting quicker reaction times to negative stimuli, participants showed a preference for increased distances, resulting in longer reaction times. Human-likeness of robots moderated the link between distance and arousal. The most human-like robot was less liked and evoked higher arousal. These findings have implications for designing social robots and optimizing interactions, particularly in educational or medical contexts.
2025 · Frontiers in artificial intelligence and applications · book-chapter
The Universal Robot of the 21st Century ↗Robotics and Automated Systems
Abstract
Developments in several areas of computer science, robotics, and social robotics make it seem likely that a universal robot will be available in the foreseeable future. Large language models for communication, perception, and control play a central role in this. This article briefly outlines the developments in the various areas and uses them to create the overall image of the universal robot. It then discusses the associated challenges from an ethical and social science perspective. It can be said that the universal robot will bring with it new possibilities and will perhaps be one of the most powerful human tools in physical space. At the same time, numerous problems are foreseeable, individual, social, and ecological.
2025 · Lecture notes in computer science · conference-paper
Social and Collaborative Robots in Prison ↗Social Robot Interaction and HRI
2025 · Lecture notes in computer science · conference-paper
Social, But Still Uncanny ↗Social Robot Interaction and HRI
2025 · Springer eBooks · book-chapter
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300 Keywords Weltraum ↗Space exploration and regulation
2025 · Springer eBooks · book-chapter
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K ↗2024 · International Conference on Animal-Computer Interaction (ACI) · conference-paper
The Animal Whisperer Project ↗AI ActOpen accessArtificial Intelligence Applications
Abstract
Generative AI has become widespread since 2022. Technical advancements have resulted in multimodal large language models and other AI models that generate, analyze, and evaluate texts, images, and sounds. Such capabilities can be helpful in encounters between humans and animals. For example, apps with generative AI on a smartphone can be used to assess the body language and behavior of animals – e.g., during a walk or hike – and provide a recommendation for human behavior. It is often useful to take into account the animal's environment and situation. The apps can help people to avert approaches and attacks, and thus also protect animals. In “The Animal Whisperer Project”, three apps were developed as prototypes based on the multimodal large language model GPT-4 from OpenAI from the beginning to mid-2024. Three specific GPTs resulted: the Cow Whisperer, the Horse Whisperer, and the Dog Whisperer. All three showed impressive capabilities after the first prompt engineering. These were improved by implementing information from expert interviews and adding labeled images of animals and other materials. AI-based apps for interpreting body language, behavior, and the overall situation can apparently be created today, without much effort, in a low-budget project. However, turning them into products would certainly raise questions, such as liability in the event of accidents.
2024 · Proceedings of the AAAI Symposium Series · conference-paper
How Can Generative AI Enhance the Well-being of Blind? ↗Open accessFree PDF ↗Assistive Technology in Communication and Mobility Abstract
This paper examines the question of how generative AI can improve the well-being of blind or visually impaired people. It refers to a current example, the Be My Eyes app, in which the Be My AI feature was integrated in 2023, which is based on GPT-4 from OpenAI. The author’s tests are described and evaluated. There is also an ethical and social discussion. The power of the tool, which can analyze still images in an amazing way, is demonstrated. Those affected gain a new independence and a new perception of their environment. At the same time, they are dependent on the world view and morality of the provider or developer, who prescribe or deny them certain descriptions. An outlook makes it clear that the analysis of moving images will mean a further leap forward. It is fair to say that generative AI can fundamentally improve the well-being of blind and visually impaired people and will change it in various ways.
2024 · Proceedings of the AAAI Symposium Series · conference-paper
How Can GenAI Foster Well-being in Self-regulated Learning? ↗Open accessFree PDF ↗Artificial Intelligence in Education Abstract
This paper explores how generative AI (GenAI) can improve the well-being of learners within self-regulated learning (SRL) frameworks in the corporate context. In the “GenAI to Support SRL” section, it presents three custom versions of ChatGPT aimed at assisting learners. These so-called GPTs demonstrate the GenAI’s potential to actively support learners in SRL and positively influence their well-being. The “Discussion” and “Summary and Outlook” sections provide a balanced overview of the opportunities and risks associated with GenAI in the field of learning and highlight directions for future research. The results indicate that GenAI could improve the well-being of learners in SRL through providing personalized guidance, reducing feelings of stress, and increasing motivation and self-efficacy. At the same time, there are several challenges for companies and employees that need to be overcome.
2024 · International Journal of Information Technology
@llegra: a chatbot for Vallader ↗Abstract
Abstract Extinct and endangered languages have been preserved primarily through audio conservation and the collection and digitization of scripts and have been promoted through targeted language acquisition efforts. Another possibility would be to build conversational agents like chatbots or voice assistants that can master these languages. This would provide an artificial, active conversational partner which has knowledge of the vocabulary and grammar and allows one to learn with it in a different way. The chatbot, @llegra, with which one can communicate in the Rhaeto-Romanic idiom Vallader was developed in 2023 based on GPT-4. It can process and output text and has voice output. It was additionally equipped with a manually created knowledge base. After laying the conceptual groundwork, this paper presents the preparation and implementation of the project. In addition, it summarizes the tests that native speakers conducted with the chatbot. A critical discussion elaborates advantages and disadvantages. @llegra could be a new tool for teaching and learning Vallader in a memorable and entertaining way through dialog. It not only masters the idiom, but also has extensive knowledge about the Lower Engadine, that is, the area where Vallader is spoken. In conclusion, it is argued that conversational agents are an innovative approach to promoting and preserving languages.
2024 · Frontiers in Robotics and AI
“Ick bin een Berlina”: dialect proficiency impacts a robot’s trustworthiness and competence evaluation ↗Open accessSocial Robot Interaction and HRI
Abstract
Background: Robots are increasingly used as interaction partners with humans. Social robots are designed to follow expected behavioral norms when engaging with humans and are available with different voices and even accents. Some studies suggest that people prefer robots to speak in the user’s dialect, while others indicate a preference for different dialects. Methods: Our study examined the impact of the Berlin dialect on perceived trustworthiness and competence of a robot. One hundred and twenty German native speakers (Mage = 32 years, SD = 12 years) watched an online video featuring a NAO robot speaking either in the Berlin dialect or standard German and assessed its trustworthiness and competence. Results: We found a positive relationship between participants’ self-reported Berlin dialect proficiency and trustworthiness in the dialect-speaking robot. Only when controlled for demographic factors, there was a positive association between participants’ dialect proficiency, dialect performance and their assessment of robot’s competence for the standard German-speaking robot. Participants’ age, gender, length of residency in Berlin, and device used to respond also influenced assessments. Finally, the robot’s competence positively predicted its trustworthiness. Discussion: Our results inform the design of social robots and emphasize the importance of device control in online experiments.
2024 · De Gruyter eBooks · book-chapter
KI-basierte Textgeneratoren aus Sicht der Ethik ↗Open accessFree PDF ↗Ethics and Social Impacts of AI Abstract
This chapter deals with AI-based text generators from an ethical point of view. It begins with a brief overview of generative AI (section 2) and AI-based text generators in particular. This is followed by a compilation of relevant areas of applied ethics (section 3), especially information ethics and its relatives, and then a structured, detailed ethical discussion (section 4). Opportunities and risks of operation and use are addressed. The chapter concludes with a summary and outlook (section 5). Overall, numerous risks are identified, as well as opportunities such as supporting work. The transformative potential for an important part of the creative and scientific professions is obvious. It is clearly a second wave of digitization that is taking hold.
2024 · Springer eBooks · book
300 Keywords Generative KI ↗Artificial Intelligence Applications
2024 · Techno:Phil · book-chapter
Pepper zu Besuch im Spital: Eine Lernanwendung für diabeteskranke Kinder und die Frage nach ihrer sozialen Angemessenheit ↗Social Robot Interaction and HRI
2024 · Springer eBooks · book-chapter
F ↗Misinformation and Its Impacts
2024 · Springer eBooks · book-chapter
K ↗Ethics and Social Impacts of AI
2024 · Springer eBooks · book-chapter
P ↗Intelligent Tutoring Systems and Adaptive Learning
2024 · Springer eBooks · book-chapter
M ↗Machine Learning and Algorithms
2024 · Springer eBooks · book-chapter
Z ↗Freedom of Expression and Defamation
2024 · Springer eBooks · book-chapter
G ↗Educational Games and Gamification
2024 · Springer eBooks · book-chapter
E ↗Cultural Insights and Digital Impacts
2024 · Springer eBooks · book-chapter
C ↗Digital Communication and Language
2024 · Springer eBooks · book-chapter
H ↗Cybercrime and Law Enforcement Studies
2024 · Springer eBooks · book-chapter
D ↗Generative Adversarial Networks and Image Synthesis
2024 · Springer eBooks · book-chapter
X ↗Free to readFree PDF ↗Web Applications and Data Management 2024 · Springer eBooks · book-chapter
O ↗Technology and Education Systems
2024 · Springer eBooks · book-chapter
T ↗Interactive and Immersive Displays
2024 · Springer eBooks · book-chapter
B ↗Ethics and Social Impacts of AI
2024 · Springer eBooks · book-chapter
S ↗Ethics, Aesthetics, and Art
2024 · Springer eBooks · book-chapter
U ↗Context-Aware Activity Recognition Systems
2024 · Springer eBooks · book-chapter
Q ↗Management Systems and Quality Improvement
2024 · Springer eBooks · book-chapter
V ↗Generative Adversarial Networks and Image Synthesis
2024 · Springer eBooks · book-chapter
I ↗Digital Media and Visual Art
2024 · Springer eBooks · book-chapter
J ↗Adversarial Robustness in Machine Learning
2024 · Springer eBooks · book-chapter
A ↗Advanced Software Engineering Methodologies
2024 · Springer eBooks · book-chapter
L ↗Media and Digital Communication
2024 · Springer eBooks · book-chapter
N ↗Natural Language Processing Techniques
2024 · Springer eBooks · book-chapter
R ↗Ethics and Social Impacts of AI
2024 · Springer eBooks · book-chapter
W ↗Natural Language Processing Techniques
2023 · Lecture notes in computer science · conference-paper
Pepper as a Learning Partner in a Children’s Hospital ↗Social Robot Interaction and HRI
2023 · Lecture notes in computer science · conference-paper
Alpha Mini as a Learning Partner in the Classroom ↗Social Robot Interaction and HRI
2023 · arXiv (Cornell University) · preprint
@ve: A Chatbot for Latin ↗Abstract
Dead, extinct, and endangered languages have been preserved primarily through audio conservation and the collection and digitization of scripts and have been promoted through targeted language acquisition efforts. Another possibility would be to build conversational agents that can master these languages. This would provide an artificial, active conversational partner which has knowledge of the vocabulary and grammar, and one learns with it in a different way. The chatbot @ve, with which one can communicate in Latin, was developed in 2022/2023 based on GPT-3.0. It was additionally equipped with a manually created knowledge base. After conceptual groundwork, this paper presents the preparation and implementation of the project. In addition, it summarizes the test that a Latin expert conducted with the chatbot. A critical discussion elaborates advantages and disadvantages. @ve could be a new tool for teaching Latin in a memorable and entertaining way through dialogue. However, the present implementation is still too prone to glitches for stand-alone use - i.e., without the accompaniment of a teacher. The use of GPT-4 could be a solution as well as the extension of the knowledge base. In conclusion, it can be argued that conversational agents are an innovative approach to promoting and preserving languages.
2023 · AI & Society
Image synthesis from an ethical perspective ↗Open accessFree PDF ↗Ethics and Social Impacts of AI Abstract
Abstract Generative AI has gained a lot of attention in society, business, and science. This trend has increased since 2018, and the big breakthrough came in 2022. In particular, AI-based text and image generators are now widely used. This raises a variety of ethical issues. The present paper first gives an introduction to generative AI and then to applied ethics in this context. Three specific image generators are presented: DALL-E 2, Stable Diffusion, and Midjourney. The author goes into technical details and basic principles, and compares their similarities and differences. This is followed by an ethical discussion. The paper addresses not only risks, but opportunities for generative AI. A summary with an outlook rounds off the article.
2023 · arXiv (Cornell University) · preprint
The HAPPY HEDGEHOG Project ↗Free copyFree PDF ↗Social Robot Interaction and HRI Abstract
Semi-autonomous machines, autonomous machines and robots inhabit closed, semi-closed and open environments, more structured environments like the household or more unstructured environments like cultural landscapes or the wilderness. There they encounter domestic animals, farm animals, working animals, and wild animals. These creatures could be disturbed, displaced, injured, or killed by the machines. Within the context of machine ethics and social robotics, the School of Business FHNW developed several design studies and prototypes for animal-friendly machines, which can be understood as moral and social machines in the spirit of these disciplines. In 2019-20, a team led by the main author developed a prototype robot lawnmower that can recognize hedgehogs, interrupt its work for them and thus protect them. Every year many of these animals die worldwide because of traditional service robots. HAPPY HEDGEHOG (HHH), as the invention is called, could be a solution to this problem. This article begins by providing an introduction to the background. Then it focuses on navigation (where the machine comes across certain objects that need to be recognized) and thermal and image recognition (with the help of machine learning) of the machine. It also presents obvious weaknesses and possible improvements. The results could be relevant for an industry that wants to market their products as animal-friendly machines.
2023 · arXiv (Cornell University) · preprint
Increasing Well-being through Robotic Hugs ↗Free copyFree PDF ↗Social Robot Interaction and HRI Abstract
This paper addresses the question of how to increase the acceptability of a robot hug and whether such a hug contributes to well-being. It combines the lead author's own research with pioneering research by Alexis E. Block and Katherine J. Kuchenbecker. First, the basics of this area are laid out with particular attention to the work of the two scientists. The authors then present HUGGIE Project I, which largely consisted of an online survey with nearly 300 participants, followed by HUGGIE Project II, which involved building a hugging robot and testing it on 136 people. At the end, the results are linked to current research by Block and Kuchenbecker, who have equipped their hugging robot with artificial intelligence to better respond to the needs of subjects.
2023 · Frontiers in artificial intelligence and applications · book-chapter
Tamagotchi on Our Couch: Are Social Robots Perceived as Pets? ↗Social Robot Interaction and HRI
Abstract
Although social robots increasingly enter our lives, it is not clear how they are perceived. Previous research indicates that there is a tendency to anthropomorphize social robots, at least in the Western culture. One of the most promising roles of robots in our society is companionship. Pets also fulfill this role, which gives their owners health and wellbeing benefits. In our study, we investigated if social robots can implicitly and explicitly be perceived as pets. In an online experiment, we measured implicit associations between pets and robots using pictures of robots and devices, as well as attributes denoting pet and non-pet features, in a Go/No-Go Association Task (GNAT). Further, we asked our participants to explicitly evaluate to what extent they perceive robots as pets and if robots could replace a real pet. Our findings show that implicitly, but not explicitly, social robots are perceived as pets.
2023 · Frontiers in artificial intelligence and applications · book-chapter
Robots in Policing ↗Policing Practices and Perceptions
Abstract
This article is devoted to the question of how robots are used in policing and what opportunities and risks arise in social terms. It begins by briefly explaining the characteristics of modern police work. It puts service robots and social robots in relation to each other and outlines relevant disciplines. The article also lists types of robots that are and could be relevant in the present context. It then gives examples from different countries of the use of robots in police work and security services. From these, it derives the central tasks of robots in this area and their most important technical features. A discussion from social, ethical, and technical perspectives seeks to provide clarity on how robots are changing the police as a social institution and with social actions and relationships, and what challenges need to be addressed.
2023 · Springer eBooks · book-chapter
Therapieroboter aus ethischer Sicht ↗Social Robot Interaction and HRI
2023 · Edition HMD · book-chapter
Serviceroboter als klassische und als soziale Roboter ↗Robotics and Automated Systems