Question and Answer Session

The question and answer session following the Wiener on Innovation panel explored the relationship between automation, employment, and economic policy. Professor Levy argued that many current economic challenges stem from macroeconomic mismanagement rather than computerization alone, and panelists discussed the concept of "broader ownership of capital" as a potential response to technological displacement.

A lively debate addressed whether institutional ethics approval processes should be extended to computer science and engineering research, paralleling the oversight already applied in biomedical fields. Professor Levy also offered a measured assessment of machine capabilities, noting that despite significant advances, machines have not yet surpassed humans in all cognitive domains. The session underscored the complexity of translating Wiener's ethical principles into practical policy frameworks.