Arto Laitinen
Papers
7
Total Citations
242
H-Index
5
About
Arto Laitinen is a philosopher and interdisciplinary researcher whose work sits at the intersection of social robotics, ethics of care, and the philosophy of human dignity. Drawing on recognition theory and normative philosophy, Laitinen has made significant contributions to understanding how emerging technologies — particularly robotics and information and communication technologies (ICT) — reshape the lives and moral standing of older adults in assisted living contexts. His most-cited work, a 2021 systematic literature review on ICT, loneliness, and social isolation in aging populations (126 citations), has become a key reference for researchers and policymakers navigating the challenges of demographically aging societies. Complementing this, his explorations of care robotics examine whether such technologies can genuinely strengthen older people's autonomy and sense of dignity, or risk undermining the human recognition they fundamentally need (60 citations). His recognition-theoretical framework — asking whether robots can fulfill the normative social expectations essential to self-esteem and dignity — offers a philosophically rigorous lens rarely applied in this domain. Laitinen also contributed to Finland's national robotics roadmap for care services, demonstrating real-world policy influence. His broader ethical inquiries into moral machines further reflect a career committed to ensuring technological progress remains answerable to deep human values.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 4Demands of Dignity in Robotic Care17 citations · 2019
- 5Robotics in Care Services : A Finnish Roadmap10 citations · 2017
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- 7What Principles for Moral Machines?2 citations · 2018