If powerful computers of the future behave in the same way as humans, will they have moral rights and responsibilities?

This will be one of the questions posed by a Senior Research Fellow from Charles Sturt University's Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics at a forum in Sydney today on what has been described as the next great revolution: nanotechnology.

Nanotechnology, one of the top priorities for science funding in the United States today, can be defined as the building of materials and machines from atoms.

Associate Professor John Weckert will be raising social aspects of this new technology at the Small things, big science: Nanotechnology forum at the University of Technology, Sydney, being held today (Thursday23 November).

While nanotechnology has potential benefits, such as in health and the environment, Professor Weckert warns of possible dangers.

He is concerned that the miniaturisation of computers will amplify existing problems, such as privacy, data mining and surveillance; and raise potential new problems, including artificial intelligence, prosthetic devices and virtual reality.

To address existing problems, Professor Weckert said there should be a reassessment of privacy legislation and the use of personal information by government and corporations.

"The potential new developments could force us to rethink the nature of humanity, the nature of reality, and what constitutes a meaningful and satisfying life."

Small things, big science: Nanotechnology is presented by the University of Technology as part of its Horizons of Science forum series.