MIT's Cynthia Breazeal and Microsoft Research's Eric Horvitz with the Museum's John Hollar

We've invited two leaders in the field of artificial intelligence for a conversation with Museum CEO John Hollar to explore and update us on the challenge and promise of artificial intelligence.

Returning to our stage is Dr. Eric Horvitz, Distinguished Scientist and Managing Director of Microsoft Research. Dr. Horvitz made a landmark gift to Stanford in December 2014 to fund a century-long study of the effects of artificial intelligence on society: the Stanford 100 Year Study of AI, or AI100. He has been working in the field of AI for more than two decades, and his interests include the computational foundations of intelligence – how do our minds work? - as well as the ways that human and machine intelligence might complement one another.

Joining Dr. Horvitz will be Dr. Cynthia Breazeal, founder and Chief Scientist of the social robotics firm Jibo, and Associate Professor of Media Arts & Sciences at MIT's Media Lab. At MIT she founded and directs the Personal Robots Group. Dr. Breazeal, a pioneer and leader in social robotics, was inspired at an early age by Star Wars, R2D2 and C3PO. She has been quoted as saying that "if R2D2 and an iPad had a baby, it'd be Jibo." In addition to learning more about her work at MIT, we'll inquire about her vision for Jibo and about the company's highly successful crowdfunding campaign - $2.2 million in pre-orders in four hours. Jibo received an additional $25 million funding round from a group of venture investors, and now employs more than 20 people in the Boston area.

These two distinguished guests will discuss a wide range of AI topics, beginning with their backgrounds, education and career paths, and their own projects. We'll then expand the discussion to explore the possible perils of machine "superintelligence" and the huge potential both of our guests see for machines to enhance our lives and to positively impact humanity.