Machine Behaviour as an academic discipline

[Nell Watson]

Iyad Rawan and Manuel Cebrian make a case that a sort of machine psychology/anthropology, a science of observation, should become a proper academic discipline.

Instead of people watching, will machine watching become a pastime for some folks?

[Roshawn Terrell]

I would say Kevin Kelly would probably be considered a machine anthropologist. He's studied the history and evolution of technology as if it's own species. He calls it the 7th kingdom of life. He even details machines wants and needs, such as clean air and clean water.

[Roshawn Terrell]

A very good TED talk from him for anyone interested.

[Adam]

Iyad Rawan and Manuel Cebrian make a case that a sort of machine psychology/anthropology, a science of observation, should become a proper academic discipline.

Instead of people watching, will machine watching become a pastime for some folks?

Don't people already do that when they play The Sims? :-p

If machines develop something akin to consciousness, or something that resembles it, I have no doubt that we will need (or want) people with the right analytical tools to make sense of their behavior.