UW-Stevens Point to offer series on the future of artificial intelligence

A series of free community lectures and film screenings at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will look at what may happen “When Robots Rule the World.”

Presented by the College of Letters and Science, the series will explore the futuristic portrayal of robots in film, the daily use of artificial intelligence (A.I.) in mundane tasks, and the latest advances in the field of human-centered A.I. and its implications.

The series and continues throughout the academic year, featuring lectures by UW-Stevens Point faculty and other experts as well as film screenings and a panel discussion. Events will take place on campus or at the Portage County Public Library and are free and open to the public. The lectures will also be available via live stream on the website, www.uwsp.edu/whenrobotsrule.

Fall events include:

• • Friday, Oct. 7, 7 p.m. – Film screening: “Blade Runner,” DUC Theater. Directed by Ridley Scott, this 1982 film is set in a dystopian future where replicants are being hunted down by a police officer.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 11, 6:30 p.m. – “Man or Machine?” lecture by Associate Professor Joshua Horn, philosophy, Portage County Library
    A discussion of the ethical and legal obligations to A.I. and each other as the gap between man and machine becomes smaller.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 15, 6:30 p.m. – “It’s About Humans, Not Robots” lecture by Associate Professor Tomi Heimonen, Portage County Library

Human-centered A.I. is an emerging discipline that seeks to empower humans but brings up issues in privacy, equity, security, and transparency.

The series is sponsored by the University Personnel Development Committee Research and Creative Activities Grant.