AI Safety Debate: "Is AI an existential threat to humanity"?

​2023 was a big year for AI development and for perceptions of AI risk. Prominent Open Letters have called for AI development to be Paused for 6-Months, and for AI to be considered as risky as Nuclear Weapons and Pandemics. However, these long-term risks from AI are still contentious amongst experts. 

​So, is AI an existential threat to humanity? 

​Join us at UCL on Tuesday 20th February for an exciting debate on one of the most important questions of our generation! 

​Our Speakers:

• ​Arguing for the motion:

  • ​Chris Watkins: Professor of Computer Science at Royal Holloway, and leading expert on ‘reinforcement learning’ algorithms 

  • ​Reuben Adams: UCL AI PhD student and host of the Steering AI Podcast

• ​Arguing Against the Motion

  • ​Jack Stilgoe: Professor of Science and Technology Studies at UCL, and one of the leaders of UK Research and Innovation’s Responsible AI programme 

  • ​Kenneth Cukier: Deputy Executive Editor at The Economist Magazine in London, and cohost of its weekly tech podcast Babbage.

• ​Moderator: 

  • ​Tom Ough: Freelance Writer, whose work has featured in newspapers and magazines, including Prospect, BBC Future, the Telegraph, and other publications.