The cross-disciplinary institute involving Engineering and the School of Law will examine advances in artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, robotics and new forms of digital media to identify their benefits and risks.
The event is being held exactly a half century after a team led by UCLA professor Leonard Kleinrock sent the first message over the Arpanet — the precursor to today’s internet.
A version of the technology, set up on the roof of a home, could provide enough power overnight to charge a cell phone or to light a room with LED bulbs.
UCLA engineering professor Ximin He said the design could be adapted to use other forms of energy — acoustic waves, or electronic or magnetic signals, for example.