On a Tuesday night last February, New York Times technology writer Kevin Roose sat down to experiment with an early version of the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot from Microsoft search engine Bing. Roose wanted to test the limits of the chatbot’s programming by asking questions most users wouldn’t.

UT Austin's Luis Sentis is leading a landmark study of how robots make us feel—and setting the standards for how autonomous machines will share our spaces.

In the specialized world of welding, where sparks fly and metal literally melts, the marriage of artificial intelligence and human craftsmanship is revolutionizing the landscape. "Making Smart Tools Work for Everyone" — one of Good Systems’ six core research projects — is focusing on empowering workers with the aid of smart hand tools and challenging the prevailing narrative of job loss due to automation. 

AI holds the potential to boost economic growth, improve individual health care, mitigate the climate crisis and much more. At the same time, used without intention, AI could also increase the spread of disinformation and discrimination, exacerbating some of our toughest societal challenges.

Good Systems has awarded funding to five projects that investigate the ethical implications of AI technologies in society in the areas of racial justice, surveillance and privacy, smart cities, and community-robot interaction.

A University of Texas at Austin assistant professor has been recognized with a significant academic honor as she was named this month to a panel of experts who will explore the future of artificial intelligence on society.

Sharon Strover, Philip G. Warner Regents Professor in Communication, passes her Good Systems Chair position to Sherri Greenberg, LBJ School Assistant Dean for State and Local Government Engagement and Professor of Practice at LBJ School and Steve Hicks School of Social Work.

As the 2023-24 academic year begins, Good Systems Executive Team members and close collaborators share their thoughts on the most exciting developments in AI for social good as well as the most pressing ethical concerns facing society today.

The election of Professor Sherri Greenberg to chair of Good Systems couldn’t be more timely. UT Austin’s ethical AI grand challenge is ready to start shaping and informing public policy at the intersection of technology and society. And there are few as well equipped as Greenberg to lead this initiative.

Boston Dynamics is known for its viral videos where its autonomous robots dance, tackle obstacle courses or decorate for the holidays. There are even blooper reels that show how much work is required to make the robots perform even the simplest of tasks.