Should we fear AI or embrace it? Perhaps we need to do both – or neither? PubSci examines the surprisingly long history of AI and lays to rest a few myths.
The news is full of scare stories about how AI might become self-aware, turn on humanity and take over the world… So, should we be afraid? Will we all be out of a job? Is The Terminator’s Skynet about to become a reality? PubSci is here to bring you the facts.
On Wednesday 20th August, PubSci is delighted to welcome Dr Ruth Stalker-Firth to share insights from three decades of involvement in AI and give us the solid grounding we need if we are to make informed decisions about this suddenly ubiquitous new – or maybe not-so-new – technology.
This event is completely sold out and there’s a huge waiting list. Thank you everybody for making PubSci an ongoing success. Please remember to book your tickets early as our events become ever-more popular.
Looking behind the headlines and cutting through ‘tech bro’ braggadocio, Ruth traces the recurring rise and fall of AI and examines what the ghost in the machine really means. From Ancient Greek robots to ChatGPT’s deep learning, we’ll look at how and why AI was created, explore what it can and cannot do, and with humour and insight, demystify AI.
Read on to read about August’s speaker.
• • •
PubSci talks are pay-what-you-can – you can make a contribution when booking on Eventbrite or as a cash contribution on the night. Join us for another round of Sipping, Supping Science… in the pub.
Doors open at 6.30 for a 7pm start. Talks run for ~45 minutes and are followed by a Q&A session. The Old King’s Head has a happy hour before 7pm, and the kitchen serves excellent pub grub.
Please don’t turn up tonight without a ticket. We are at full capacity. Sorry for any disappointment.
• • •
About the speaker
Dr Ruth Stalker-Firth is a technology consultant whose involvement with the field of AI began in 1993. She says it started because that seemed the easiest way to spend a summer in Paris… and resulted in the accolade of representing the nation of Switzerland for technical innovation.
Following that, Ruth earned a PhD in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) for Artificial Intelligence and Big Data, began lecturing at university in 2001, has programmed and consulted on HCI, and has been teaching HCI, AI, cognitive science, biometrics, IT security, and web technologies for BSc, MSc and online students.
Ruth firmly believes understanding how technology works is the key to making us all happier with our computers. She is an experienced public speaker, a celebrated tutor on the WI Learning Hub and was recognised earlier this year by National Women in Science and Engineering Day. Her website and blog get 1.2 million hits a year.
PubSci is delighted to welcome Ruth as the latest speaker in our 2025 talks programme of Sipping, Supping & Science.
• • •
Keep Up With Future Events
To make sure you don’t miss out on future events, subscribe to our Google Calendar to be the first to know when new talks are scheduled, and follow PubSci’s events on Eventbrite to be notified when tickets are available. You can also sign up to our own mailing list on any page on this site.
Posted by Richard Marshall, PubSci organiser and host.
PubSci: Sipping • Supping • Science
• • •
About PubSci talks
PubSci is organised and hosted by science communicator, Richard Marshall, assisted by Mike Lucibella. Events are held upstairs at the Old King’s Head, near London Bridge tube. No specialist knowledge is required, just curiosity. Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Talks run for ~45 minutes and are followed by a Q&A session. The Old King’s Head has a happy hour before 7pm, and the kitchen serves excellent pub grub.
• • •
There is no charge for attending PubSci talks, but we have a cash whip-round to cover expenses on the night – consider it “Pay What You Can Afford”. As few of us carry cash these days, you can make a donation when registering for ticketed events with Eventbrite. Please help us continue putting on events. PubSci has no other source of funding.
We aim to keep PubSci accessible for all, although it is unsuitable for under 18s as we meet in the function room of a pub. Regrettably, there is no wheelchair access.
You can find all our links on our LinkTree.
• • •
We generally hold events on the third Wednesday of the month, upstairs at the Old King’s Head near London Bridge Underground (Borough High Street east side exit). Join us every month apart from December for a regular dose of Sipping, Supping & Science.
Address:
The Old King’s Head (upstairs room)
King’s Head Yard
45-49 Borough High Street
London SE1 1NA
PubSci 