Why we need to talk AI

Information

In partnership with The National Robotarium

Chatbots are transforming society, politics and business, and AI is one of the biggest and fastest technological changes in history. Millions of people now talk to ChatGPT daily. It has moved from novelty to everyday infrastructure astonishingly fast, with people organising their finances to seeking therapy via machines. Some people use it to intensify their work productivity while others fall into dangerous conspiracy rabbit-holes and emotionally risky content. How do we learn how to talk – and not talk to – AI in a way that makes the most of technology rather than succumbing to manipulation?

Panellists:

Dr Paul Reilly is Senior Lecturer in Communications, Media & Democracy at the University of Glasgow. His research interests include digital activism, digital media and peacebuilding, online research ethics, online misinformation and disinformation, and how social media are used in relation to contentious parades and protests.

Dr Ronnie Smith is a Senior Engineer at the National Robotarium with a research background in Human-Robot Interaction, focussing on effective interaction for robot control, teaching and feedback. His experience spans the development of conversational robotic agents across domains including health and social care.

Robert Moran is a data-driven strategist, a futurist and novelist. He is a Partner at the Brunswick Group in Washington DC and serves a wide array of corporate clients, often in special situations, crisis, and issues management. He began his career in political polling and consulting and has written two novels – Lincoln 2.0 and Big Alien Movie.