Kate Darling Keynote Speaker, Virtual Event Speaker

Kate’s research examines what happens when robots move beyond industrial tools and become social participants in human environments. At the intersection of social robotics, law and technology policy, the Speaker investigates how people respond emotionally and behaviourally to machines designed to appear lifelike, communicate naturally or simulate human characteristics.

Through experimental research into human-robot interaction, Kate explores questions surrounding trust, emotional attachment, social acceptance and the boundaries between human relationships and artificial companionship. Her work challenges organisations to consider not only what robots can do, but also how their design may influence human behaviour, expectations and relationships.

Her expertise in intellectual property and technology policy adds another important dimension to these discussions. Kate examines how existing legal and economic frameworks respond to emerging technologies, including questions about innovation incentives, responsibility, rights and regulation. By connecting technical developments with their wider social consequences, she helps audiences understand why responsible technology design requires input from multiple disciplines.

As a Speaker, Kate offers a distinctive perspective on the future of robotics and artificial intelligence, encouraging businesses, researchers and policymakers to consider the human implications of technological progress. Her work is particularly relevant to organisations exploring social robots, AI-enabled services, digital ethics and the development of technologies that interact increasingly closely with people.