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Robot is 100!

100 years ago Czech writer Karel Čapek published his iconic drama R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots), which introduced the word "robot" to the world. The Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Los Angeles and the UCLA Library are delighted to invite you to a virtual panel discussion exploring the influence of "R.U.R." on other forms of art and the future of robotics.

Learn more about the future of artificial intelligence with distinguished Professor of Computer Science, Neuroscience, and Pediatrics at USC and the founding director of the USC Robotic and Autonomous Systems Center Ms. Maja Matarić, and two established science fiction writers Mr. Alvaro Zinos-Amaro and Mr. Jaroslav Veis, who will discuss the heritage of Karel Čapek's revolutionary play R.U.R.

The online panel will be moderated by the Czech Consul General Amb. Jaroslav Olša, Jr. who is also an editor of numerous anthologies of science fiction including ROBOT100, a collection of stories by primarily Czech writers inspired by R. U. R.

To further explore the past, present, and future of artificial intelligence, visit the UCLA Library’s virtual exhibit Robot is 100! Karel Čapek's R.U.R. and the Robot in Pop Culture at https://spark.adobe.com/page/5gFJRQ3hXeYO5/. You can learn more about Karel Čapek’s life and R.U.R. in a complementary UCLA Library Research Guide at https://guides.library.ucla.edu/c.php?g=1099693.

Co-sponsored by the UCLA Department of Slavic, East European & Eurasian Languages and Cultures.

Image credit Mikuláš Podprocký

Feb 4, 2021 12:00 PM in Pacific Time (US and Canada)