Redefining the Hearth: Navigating the Future of Automated Kitchens

Learn about the potentially transformative impact of robot kitchens and artificially intelligent chefs on our lives and broader societal structures.

As we stand on the brink of a revolution in food technology, automation in the kitchen might alter the fabric of tradition, family interaction, and individual lifestyles. This Distinctive Voices talk assesses potential shifts in the dynamics of cooking, mealtime experiences, and waste management. It also considers the ethical dimensions of our relationship with automation, questioning how it shapes our character, intentions, and duties. The discussion encourages a multifaceted consideration of whether technological advancements should always equate to progress, exploring what might be gained—and lost—in this shift towards automated cooking.

Featured Speaker:
Ryan Jenkins Portrait

Dr. Ryan Jenkins
Ethics + Emerging Sciences Group at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo

Ryan Jenkins is an associate professor of philosophy and a senior fellow at the Ethics + Emerging Sciences Group at Cal Poly. He studies the ethics of emerging technologies, especially automation, cyber war, autonomous weapons and driverless cars. His work has appeared in journals such as Techne, Ethical Theory and Moral Practice, and the Journal of Military Ethics, as well as publications including The Washington Post, Slate. and Forbes.