The workshop adopts a participatory provocation-based format to stimulate discussion and critical reflection among participating researchers, policymakers, and technologists.

Three invited speakers will present provocative assertions - bold statements rooted in their area of expertise - designed to challenge prevailing assumptions and open space for debate. Each provocation will be accompanied by a brief overview of both supporting and opposing arguments to frame the discussion. Following each presentation, workshop participants will engage in facilitated group discussion to critically examine the provocation, explore its implications, and share insights from their own disciplinary perspectives.

To support open and inclusive dialogue, the workshop will operate under the Chatham House Rule: “Participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed”. This is particularly appropriate for discussions of a sensitive or contested nature, and is intended to create a respectful environment in which disagreement and diverse viewpoints are welcomed.

Environmental robotics requires ethical review boards with rigorous testing frameworks similar to those used for medical trials before deployment in natural ecosystems.