Steffen Steinert

Delft University of Technology, Center for Neurosciences

Papers

Total Citations

146

H-Index

About

Steffen Steinert is a leading philosopher of technology whose work bridges the ethics of artificial intelligence, human-robot interaction, and the phenomenology of embodied cognition. His most influential contribution, "Doing Things with Thoughts: Brain-Computer Interfaces and Disembodied Agency" (111 citations), critically examines how BCIs reshape human agency, arguing that these technologies create a form of "disembodied" action that challenges traditional notions of selfhood and control. Steinert’s research extends to roboethics through his foundational taxonomy in "The Five Robots—A Taxonomy for Roboethics" (26 citations), which systematically categorizes robotic systems to clarify ethical debates. More recently, his provocative "The seven troubles with norm-compliant robots" (9 citations) warns against uncritically embedding social norms into machines, exposing biases and ethical pitfalls that could undermine trust and fairness. Across his work, Steinert consistently interrogates the hidden assumptions in technological design, urging researchers to consider the human experience behind the interface. His scholarship is essential reading for anyone exploring the ethical and existential dimensions of emerging technologies, from BCIs to social robotics, and his critical voice continues to shape conversations on responsible innovation.