Humanity has had a fascination with robots for years. But humans have also grown anxious about our robotic counterparts playing an increasingly greater role in future day-to-day life (“Terminator 2,” anyone?).

Minsoo Kang, associate professor of history at the University of Missouri–St. Louis and author of “Sublime Dreams of Living Machines,” will address the long history of human interest in automata and how it provides clues to understanding our current ambivalence in the face of artificial intelligence. Kang’s presentation, “The Coming War with Robots: A Historical Perspective,” will begin at 7 p.m. April 17 in the Lee Auditorium at the Missouri History Museum.

Hands-on activities will take place from 6:30-7 p.m. A discussion with Kang and a panel of local experts, who will answer questions about the future of robotics in our region and beyond, will follow the presentation.

The event is free and open to the public and part of the Perspectives on Science and History Lecture Series presented by the Academy of Science–St. Louis and Thomas Jefferson School in Sunset Hills, Mo.

The Missouri History Museum is in Forest Park at the intersection of Lindell Boulevard and DeBaliviere Avenue in St. Louis.

Call 314-746-4599 for more information.