Iyad Rahwan

Iyad Rahwan is a prominent computer scientist and researcher who has made significant contributions to the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and its societal impacts. He is currently the Director of the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin, where he founded and leads the Center for Humans & Machines.134

Professional Background

Rahwan holds several prestigious positions:

• Director at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development (since December 2018)
• Honorary Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the Technical University of Berlin (since April 2020)
• Former Associate Professor of Media Arts & Sciences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)134

He received his Ph.D. in Information Systems (Artificial Intelligence) from the University of Melbourne.4

Research Focus

Rahwan's research centers on understanding and shaping the impact of emerging technologies, particularly AI and digital media, on society. He employs an interdisciplinary approach, combining computer science with other fields to explore how these technologies affect human behavior and vice versa.3

Some notable aspects of his research include:

• The concept of Science Fiction Sciences (SFS), which uses science fiction scenarios to anticipate human reactions to future technologies
• Studying the potential risks and benefits of AI development
• Exploring the ethical implications of AI and automation3

Evil AI Cartoons

In addition to his scientific work, Rahwan is also an artist and cartoonist. He created the "Evil AI Cartoons" project in July 2021, which uses humor to address serious questions about the increasing reliance on intelligent machines.124

The Evil AI Cartoons website aims to educate and stimulate discussion about the societal impacts of AI through cartoons and comics. Each cartoon is accompanied by a brief blog post providing context and further reading suggestions.2

Other Notable Projects

Rahwan has been involved in several high-profile projects:

• Co-creator of the Moral Machine project, which crowdsourced opinions on ethical dilemmas faced by autonomous vehicles
• Creator of various artistic projects exploring AI themes, including oil paintings13

Through his diverse work in science, technology, and art, Iyad Rahwan continues to contribute significantly to our understanding of AI and its implications for society.