In recent years, driven by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, social robots have come to be utilized in various aspects of our daily lives—including healthcare, social welfare, education, the home, and public spaces. However, realizing a society where humans and robots coexist requires a multifaceted examination of not only technical challenges but also ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI). Against this backdrop, we are pleased to announce the International Symposium on Social Robots and Ethical Design (iSRED 2026).

This symposium aims to foster international academic exchange regarding the research, development, and ethical design of social robots. Researchers and experts from diverse fields—including robotics, artificial intelligence, ethics, law, social sciences, and design—will gather to engage in in-depth discussions on realizing a sustainable society where humans and robots coexist.

This year, under the theme "Leveraging Design Thinking for Responsible Robotics," we will examine the relationships between social robots, humans, and ethical design from an interdisciplinary perspective.

Through lectures, research presentations, and discussions involving both domestic and international experts, the symposium will explore the nature of responsible robotics research and development and the principles of ethical design. We warmly welcome participation from researchers, graduate students, university students, industry professionals, and members of the general public who are interested in topics such as the ethics of social robots and AI, legal frameworks, social implementation, and sustainable technology development.

Event Overview
Name: International Symposium on Social Robots and Ethical Design (iSRED 2026)
Dates: November 10–12, 2026
Venue: Inamori Hall, Inamori Foundation Memorial Hall, Kyushu University Ito Campus
Format: In-person
Language: English
Registration Fee: Free
Registration (until 10/31): https://www.isred-ethical.design/

Organizer: Institute for Advanced Study, Kyushu University
Co-organizers: Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Tohoku University; Research Center for Digital Humanities, National Taiwan University; Taiwan Association of Social Robotics
Technical Co-sponsor: IEEE Society on Social Implications of Technology (SSIT)
Supported by: Joint Graduate School of Digital Humanities, Kyushu University
 


[Contact]
Yueh-Hsuan Weng, Associate Professor
Institute for Advanced Study
Tel: +81-92-802-5432 
E-mail: weng.yueh.hsuan.647@m.kyushu-u.ac.jp

*This conference will be held as IAS Workshop #008.