I began demystifying AI after attending a talk where the speaker, under the influence of a supposed ‘techbro’ podcaster and despite having no knowledge of computing, segued into a convincing and inaccurate, speech about how ChatGPT would breed robots and take over the world.
This inspired me to offer light-hearted talks presenting a fact-based view of what AI etc., can and cannot actually do, This inspired me to offer light-hearted talks presenting a fact-based view of what AI can and cannot actually do, drawing on the experiences I have had in the field of AI since 1993.
Dates and times of upcoming talks can be found on my Ruth’s upcoming talks blogpost.
Below and on page 2, are some descriptions of talks I have given. If you wish me to give a talk at your organisation please click the button below:
Demystifying AI
In the news, we are constantly reading about how AI is going to self-evolve and take over the world, to which I say robots are welcome round my house anytime to take charge of the shopping, housework, and please can they can cook the dinner too? In this talk, we trace the recurring rise and fall of AI with its spooky stories of the ghost in the machine. From robots in Ancient Greece to present day ChatGPT’s deep learning, we look at how and why AI was created and exactly what it can and cannot do.
Read more: The ghosts of AI and Chit chat chitty-chitty chit chat chatgpt.
When computers were women
The first computers were women, low-paid and unrecognised. But thanks to them, the first computer was coded up, a man walked on the moon, and computers learnt to understand English. So why were their contributions written out of history? In this talk, we trace the story of computers from 1731, when the Edinburgh Weekly Journal advised young married women to know their husband’s income and be a good computer and keep within it, until present day to see how this man’s world would have never progressed without the women which gave it its name.
Read more: Fighting, typing and computing and When women were computers.
You have filled in so much
Mary Evans
that I couldn’t understand.
AI at the movies
Whilst AI advances appear new and amazing, many seem to have been inspired by the stories we have been telling well since time began.
In this talk we will take a light-hearted look at how technology in the movies would or wouldn’t work in real life. From ‘Back to the Future’ via ‘Terminator’ and a bit of Tom Cruise, using Jungian and pop psychology we will explore all the ways in which cinematic AI compels us to believe in the fantastical and magical, especially since we all know that real life can be stranger than fiction.
Read more: Free Guy, AI at the movies.
Talk descriptions continued on page 2….
If you’d like me to give a talk, I’d be delighted to hear from you.