On the afternoon of October 14, 2025, Professor Fan Ruiping from City University of Hong Kong was invited by the School of Marxism to deliver an academic lecture titled “Ethical Issues of AI Companion Robots” in the East Conference Room on the first floor of the Administration Building. The lecture was chaired by Jin Anguang, Dean of the School of Marxism, with all graduate students from the School of Marxism in attendance.

Focusing on the hot topic of AI companion robots, the lecture compared different ethical approaches and their respective strengths and weaknesses in addressing issues related to companion robots from various ethical perspectives, including utilitarianism, deontology, and Confucian virtue ethics. It further distinguished between replacement-oriented and assistance-oriented development models, analyzed the distinct significance of the two models, and explored their profound implications for human relationships, human-machine interactions, and human values.

This academic lecture represents an important initiative by the School of Marxism to strengthen graduate education and disciplinary development. It aims to guide graduate students in establishing correct perspectives on technology ethics and social responsibility, comprehensively enhance their theoretical literacy and research capabilities, and lay a solid foundation for cultivating Marxist theoretical talents with profound theoretical foundation, noble moral character, and global vision in the new era.

Written by: Ding Shirui

Photo by: Ma Liyingzi

Source: NYNU Academic Activities (Chinese)

https://www.nynu.edu.cn/info/1048/30621.htm