Trust the Computer – but how far?



Friday, 17. October 2003 | 11:45 Uhr

Speaker

Joseph Weizenbaum

Organisation

MIT, Cambridge USA

Download the Speech

Reporting

The spirited, Emeritus Professor of Computer Science at the MIT is not only one of the pioneers of Information Technology. He has also been a committed warning voice over the last 30 years pointing to the dangers of misusing the computer. “If there were only a few computers, trust would not be an important issue. But if the computer is everywhere, it is easy to cause immense damage.” Precisely because the computer is pervasive, the issue of trust is of the utmost urgency.

Joseph Weizenbaum

Joseph Weizenbaum (*1923 in Berlin) emigrated to the United States in 1936 and studied Mathematics (BS 1948, MS 1950) at Wayne University in Detroit. Collaboration on a computer project. From 1955 to 1963 he was Systems Engineer in the Computer Development Laboratory of General Electric and was involved in the conception of the first computer bank system.

 

In 1963, he joined the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). From 1970 to 1988 Professor of Computer Science. Visiting professor at several universities. Joseph Weizenbaum concerned himself with the ethical issues of the computer and modern technology. In 1998 he was awarded the prize of the Computer Professionals for Peace and Social Responsibility for his contribution and commitment to responsibility in Information Technology.

Donators and Partners

The ETH Board is responsible for the strategic leadership of the ETH domain and assumes the supervision of its institutions. Its close relationship with the ETH Council has contributed to the successful continuation of Academia Engelberg Foundation since 2000.

The Foundation promotes research into the connecting human fundamentals of science. Academia Engelberg Foundation and the Foundation for Basic Research in Human Sciences have entered into a cooperation agreement for the period 2011 to 2015.

Helvetia is a quality-oriented comprehensive insurance company with over 150 years of experience. Academia Engelberg Foundation is convinced it will be able to use important synergies from the partnership starting in 2015.

A partnership with the University of Lucerne has existed since summer 2013. Since 2016 we have also a parthership with the Faculty of Economics and Management of the University of Lucerne. Through these partnerships, synergies are used and joint projects are tested and realized. The University of Lucerne currently consists of three faculties: the faculties for Theology, Culture and Social Sciences, and Law.