The Alan Turing Institute has announced its 2024 Turing Lectures series, "In AI we trust...?", focusing on critical issues surrounding deep fakes, trustworthy AI, and the future of democracy in an era of rapid technological advancement.
On August 28, The Alan Turing Institute unveiled plans for its flagship lecture series, addressing pressing concerns about artificial intelligence's role in shaping democratic processes and public trust. The series, partnering with the Knowledge Quarter, will feature three evenings of discussions led by prominent experts in the field.
Dr. Jonathan Bright, head of online safety at The Alan Turing Institute, emphasised the importance of the series: "As AI technology becomes more sophisticated, understanding its potential impact on democracy, its biases and its reliability for everyday use is crucial to ensure we get the most out of the technology."
The lecture series will cover three main topics:
1. AI in Political Campaigns and Deepfakes (September 26, 2024):
Dr. Jonathan Bright will explore how political campaigns utilise AI and the challenges posed by deep fakes. He will discuss fact-checking, content moderation, and the importance of media scepticism in the digital age.
2. AI Bias and Societal Impact (October 14, 2024):
Dr. Abeba Birhane, Senior Fellow in Trustworthy AI at Mozilla Foundation, will examine AI's influence on crucial societal decisions and the consequences of algorithms trained on biased data. Her lecture will focus on mitigating AI bias to create fairer, more equitable systems.
3. Restoring Trust and AI Reliability (December 9, 2024):
Professor Shannon Vallor, Baillie Gifford Chair in the Ethics of Data and Artificial Intelligence at the Edinburgh Futures Institute, will discuss the importance of restoring trust in people, AI's impact on daily life, and strategies for improving AI tool reliability.
The lectures will be held at King's Place, an award-winning multi-arts venue in the heart of the Knowledge Quarter.
Jodie Eastwood, CEO of Knowledge Quarter London, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership: "We're thrilled to facilitate an accessible and public dialogue on the vital topic of AI literacy and are proud to support these lectures, which will unite a curious and diverse audience from our vibrant community together with The Alan Turing Institute."
The collaboration between The Alan Turing Institute and the Knowledge Quarter - a consortium of over 100 academic, cultural, research, scientific, and media organisations within a one-mile radius of King's Cross - highlights the interdisciplinary nature of AI's societal impact.
Dr. Bright noted that the lectures offer "a unique opportunity to explore ways in which we can harness AI responsibly, which is essential for building trust and shaping the future of this important technology.
As artificial intelligence continues to evolve and permeate various aspects of society, the 2024 Turing Lectures series promises to provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities presented. By bringing together experts from diverse fields, the series aims to foster a more informed and critical approach to AI's role in shaping our democratic future.