Japanese Embassy Hosts Lecture on Avatar Technologies and the Future of Society
Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT), under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, Chair of the University's Board of Trustees, and in cooperation with the Embassy of Japan in Jordan, hosted an online lecture titled “Avatar and the Future Society,” delivered by Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro of Osaka University and Visiting Director of the Hiroshi Ishiguro Laboratories at the Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR).اضافة اعلان
The lecture explored the development of avatar technologies and their potential role in shaping the future of society.
The lecture highlighted autonomous robots and avatar technologies, including remotely operated robots and computer-generated (CG) characters.
It also explored how these technologies can enable individuals to participate in a wide range of activities remotely, without the need to be physically present at a specific location.
Professor Ishiguro emphasised the importance of building a society that enables people from diverse backgrounds, perspectives and value systems to participate in various activities in ways that suit their individual lifestyles.
He also highlighted the potential of avatar technologies to support people with caregiving and childcare responsibilities, allowing them greater flexibility and freedom to engage in professional and social activities.
The lecture further examined how avatar technologies could contribute to creating a society in which physical and mental abilities, as well as geographical and time-related constraints, no longer prevent individuals from participating in various activities.
By remotely controlling multiple avatars, individuals can engage in a wide range of fields, including work, education, healthcare and everyday social interactions.
In her remarks, Professor Wejdan Abu Al-Haija, President of Princess Sumaya University for Technology, welcomed the cooperation with the Embassy of Japan, emphasising the importance of international academic collaboration in promoting scientific innovation and preparing students to keep pace with a rapidly evolving technological future.
In his opening remarks, H.E. Mr. Hideki Asari, Ambassador of Japan to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, expressed his sincere appreciation to Princess Sumaya University for Technology for its cooperation in organising the lecture.
He underscored the importance of strengthening the partnership between the Embassy of Japan and the university, highlighting the role of knowledge exchange and academic cooperation in building a fruitful and sustainable relationship between the two sides.
The Ambassador also encouraged students to benefit from Professor Ishiguro's expertise, pursue their passion for exploration and discover the possibilities offered by future technologies.
It is worth noting that Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro received his PhD from Osaka University in Japan in 1991.
He currently serves as a Professor in the Department of Systems Innovation at Osaka University, Visiting Director of the Hiroshi Ishiguro Laboratories at the Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR), and Research and Development Project Director for the Moonshot Research and Development Programme.
He also served as the producer responsible for one of the thematic projects at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, and is the CEO of AVITA Inc.
His research interests focus on interactive robotics, avatar technologies and android science.
Among his most notable innovations is the Geminoid robot, a humanoid robot designed to closely resemble his own appearance and capable of serving as his avatar.
Professor Ishiguro has received numerous prestigious awards and honours, including the Osaka Culture Award in 2011 and the Commendation for Science and Technology from Japan's Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in 2015.
In the same year, he received the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award in Dubai.
His other honours include the Tateisi Award in 2020, an Honorary Doctorate from Aarhus University in 2021, and the Ichimura Academic Award for Achievement in 2023.
The lecture explored the development of avatar technologies and their potential role in shaping the future of society.
The lecture highlighted autonomous robots and avatar technologies, including remotely operated robots and computer-generated (CG) characters.
It also explored how these technologies can enable individuals to participate in a wide range of activities remotely, without the need to be physically present at a specific location.
Professor Ishiguro emphasised the importance of building a society that enables people from diverse backgrounds, perspectives and value systems to participate in various activities in ways that suit their individual lifestyles.
He also highlighted the potential of avatar technologies to support people with caregiving and childcare responsibilities, allowing them greater flexibility and freedom to engage in professional and social activities.
The lecture further examined how avatar technologies could contribute to creating a society in which physical and mental abilities, as well as geographical and time-related constraints, no longer prevent individuals from participating in various activities.
By remotely controlling multiple avatars, individuals can engage in a wide range of fields, including work, education, healthcare and everyday social interactions.
In her remarks, Professor Wejdan Abu Al-Haija, President of Princess Sumaya University for Technology, welcomed the cooperation with the Embassy of Japan, emphasising the importance of international academic collaboration in promoting scientific innovation and preparing students to keep pace with a rapidly evolving technological future.
In his opening remarks, H.E. Mr. Hideki Asari, Ambassador of Japan to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, expressed his sincere appreciation to Princess Sumaya University for Technology for its cooperation in organising the lecture.
He underscored the importance of strengthening the partnership between the Embassy of Japan and the university, highlighting the role of knowledge exchange and academic cooperation in building a fruitful and sustainable relationship between the two sides.
The Ambassador also encouraged students to benefit from Professor Ishiguro's expertise, pursue their passion for exploration and discover the possibilities offered by future technologies.
It is worth noting that Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro received his PhD from Osaka University in Japan in 1991.
He currently serves as a Professor in the Department of Systems Innovation at Osaka University, Visiting Director of the Hiroshi Ishiguro Laboratories at the Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR), and Research and Development Project Director for the Moonshot Research and Development Programme.
He also served as the producer responsible for one of the thematic projects at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, and is the CEO of AVITA Inc.
His research interests focus on interactive robotics, avatar technologies and android science.
Among his most notable innovations is the Geminoid robot, a humanoid robot designed to closely resemble his own appearance and capable of serving as his avatar.
Professor Ishiguro has received numerous prestigious awards and honours, including the Osaka Culture Award in 2011 and the Commendation for Science and Technology from Japan's Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in 2015.
In the same year, he received the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award in Dubai.
His other honours include the Tateisi Award in 2020, an Honorary Doctorate from Aarhus University in 2021, and the Ichimura Academic Award for Achievement in 2023.
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