Our Ultimate Ethical Challenge? AI and The Future of Humanity with Emeritus Professor John Lennox, Oxford University.
Recently, our media have been full of the dangers of AI with respected academics and public thinkers warning of terrifying consequences for humanity if the current rapid rate of development continues unchecked. Stephen Hawking and James Lovelock both conjectured that AI may even threaten our species with subordination, or extinction.
In this, our final talk in our World in 2050 series, BRLSI is honoured to welcome internationally renowned specialist in the intersection of Science, Philosophy and Religion, John Lennox, for a more positive outlook and expert guide to these complex issues and new technologies. John will explain the applications, hazards and distinctions of three key areas: Narrow AI, Artificial General Intelligence and Transhumanism and explore the urgent ethical and moral imperatives underlying their emergence.
John is Emeritus Professor of Mathematics and of the Saïd Business School at Oxford University and Emeritus Professor of Mathematics, Science and Philosophy at Green Templeton College. Like most of the fathers of modern science, he is also a Christian who finds no conflict between science and religion and experiences his own belief as a mind-expanding motivator for doing mathematics and science. John takes a sceptical view of Atheism and has publicly debated “The God Delusion” with Richard Dawkins, the New Atheism with Christopher Hitchens and the existence of God with Peter Singer.
In his latest book 2084, John acknowledges the potential future dangers of advanced AI but argues, from a reassuring and scientifically-informed philosophical point of view, that it will remain beyond the bounds of the natural processes of creation. More specifically, whilst the origins of life can be described scientifically they can only be created by the meaningful input of higher intelligence – consciousness, DNA, naturally evolving processes – from outside any engineered system.
John believes ethics and the nature of humanity must be fundamental to the future of all AI research and development and that Christianity may provide sound clues to the wisest approach. He also argues that whilst AI will demand that humanity puts robust moral and ethical boundaries around it, this will ultimately be to our benefit. The widening applications of AI will force us to address their hazards and moral and ethical issues more urgently as the likely impacts to social inequalities and personal freedoms become more evident.
John has lectured extensively around the world in mathematics, the philosophy of science and the intellectual defence of Christianity and written a number of books on the interface between science, philosophy and theology including God’s Undertaker: Has Science Buried God?, God and Stephen Hawking.
Join us to find out more about this important subject from one of the world’s leading academic experts.
Friday 4 August 7.30 pm to 9.00 pm at Queen Square or by Livestream. Tickets £4.00 – £8.00.
