About this event

Join University of Bristol's Professor Genevieve Liveley for the Jean Golding Institute's Public Lecture. 

Science Fiction or Science Fact – how stories have shaped the way we see AI

Humans have been sharing stories about intelligent machines and artificial minds for the last  3000 years, and this narrative archive has profoundly shaped the way we think and talk about AI.

• Are these imaginaries and science fictions now limiting public perceptions about the benefits and risks, the possibilities and the pitfalls, of AI?
• How are these stories influencing security and innovation in AI?
• Do we need better stories about AI?

We will consider these questions (and more) and explore the importance of what UNESCO calls ‘Futures Literacy’ as a tool to help us move our AI imaginaries beyond the limitations posed by utopian and dystopian thinking. 

What will the audience take away from the talk? 

• Awareness of the power of stories to shape the future of AI
• Understanding of why we need better stories about AI
• The essentials of ‘Futures Literacy’ for AI

Professor Genevieve Liveley (she/her)

Professor of Classics at the University of Bristol, Director of RISCS (Research Institute for Sociotechnical Cyber Security)  

Genevieve is Professor of Classics at the University of Bristol. As a narratologist, she has particular research interests in stories and their impact on futures thinking – especially in the context of emerging technologies, AI, and cyber security. She is a Turing Fellow, and Director of RISCS – the UK’s Research Institute for Sociotechnical Cyber Security.

Event details

This is a free University of Bristol event and seats are unallocated. Doors will open at 17:30 and the talk will start promptly at 18:15 so please arrive in plenty of time.

All attendees are welcome to join us for a free drinks reception in the foyer before the lecture . Please indicate when registering whether you will be able to join us for the drinks reception.

If you have any questions please email jgi-admin@bristol.ac.uk

If you are unable to make the event after booking your ticket, please cancel it via Ticket Tailor or contact Jean Golding Institute so your ticket can be reallocated.

Access guidance

AI and the Future of Society day and evening event access information

Or you can download the access guidance:

JGI Accessibility Info City Hall (PDF, 90kB)

Please get in touch by email or telephone (see below) to let us know about any access requirements and/or additional facilities or assistance required for the event.

If you have any questions please email jgi-admin@bristol.ac.uk or call on 0117 3940356.

If you are unable to make the event after booking your ticket, please cancel it via Eventbrite or contact Jean Golding Institute so your ticket can be reallocated. 

Bristol Data Week 2024

This event is part of Bristol Data Week 2024, organised by the Jean Golding Institute. Running from Monday 3rd June – Friday 7th June 2024, this will be our 7th annual Data Week; an interactive programme of speakers, training and workshops open to all and completely free of charge.

Keep up to date with sessions happening throughout Bristol Data Week on the Jean Golding Institute website follow us on Twitter @JGIBristol and use #BristolDataWeek.