Dr Kate Darling

Research Scientist at the MIT Media Lab, Former Fellow of the Harvard Berkman Klein Centre for Internet & Society & Author of ‘The New Breed’

Kate Darling’s Biography:

Dr Kate Darling is a preeminent expert on social robotics and robot ethics, best known for exploring why humans form emotional bonds with machines. A research specialist at the MIT Media Lab, she has shaped global debate on the societal implications of robotics and artificial intelligence. Her TED Talk, Why We Have an Emotional Connection to Robots, has attracted over 1.6 million views, cementing her reputation as a compelling keynote speaker who bridges behavioural science, technology and ethics for diverse audiences.

Kate’s early academic and professional work focused on the intersection of law, intellectual property and emerging technologies. Her research examines how people interact with robots, how legal frameworks respond to innovation and how society adapts to increasingly autonomous systems. Alongside her work at MIT Media Lab, she developed a distinctive voice in discussions around machine learning, human robot relationships and regulatory policy, positioning herself at the forefront of responsible robotics discourse.

Her influence has been widely recognised. She was named one of the 25 Women in Robotics You Need to Know About by Robohub, identified as a Radar Thinker by Thinkers50 and described by NBC News as one of the biggest names in science. A recipient of the Mark T Banner Award in Intellectual Property, she has also contributed to leading publications including The New Yorker, WIRED, The Guardian, BBC, The Atlantic and Forbes. She co-wrote Creativity without Law and contributed to En Compagnie des Robots, further extending her impact across academic and policy communities.

Beyond research and writing, Kate is a seasoned conference speaker and podcast guest, appearing at major international events and on programmes such as Science Friday and Sam Harris’ Waking Up. Her work consistently challenges audiences to confront urgent ethical questions about living and working alongside intelligent machines.

Why Hire Kate Darling?

Kate is hired for her ability to make complex technological and ethical questions accessible, rigorous and thought provoking. Drawing on behavioural science, legal scholarship and real world robotics research, she equips leaders with frameworks to anticipate societal responses to AI and automation. Her keynote sessions explore trust, empathy, regulation and innovation without alarmism, encouraging informed decision making. Audiences leave with a deeper understanding of how human psychology shapes technology adoption and what responsible robotics leadership requires in practice.

Kate Darling’s Career Highlights:

Here are some of the key milestones that define Kate Darling’s impressive career:

• 2025 – Headliner for MWC’s Talent Arena
• 2023 – Recognised as a Radar Thinker by Thinkers50 for her influence on technology and management thinking
• 2022 – Featured by NBC News as one of the biggest names in science for her work in robotics and ethics
• 2021 – Surpassed 1.6 million views on her TED Talk, Why We Have an Emotional Connection to Robots
• 2019 – Named one of the 25 Women in Robotics You Need to Know About by Robohub
• 2018 – Delivered international keynote addresses on robot ethics and human-robot relationships across Europe and North America
• 2017 – Co-wrote Creativity without Law: Challenging the Assumptions of Intellectual Property
• 2016 – Contributed to En Compagnie des Robots, examining human coexistence with machines
• 2016 – Delivered Robot Ethics keynote in Montreal, exploring near-term ethical and legal robotics challenges
• 2015 – Spoke at The Conference: Human Robot Relationships and WebTomorrow on societal issues in robotics