Can we build conscious machines? [Presentation & Discussion]

This is a free event! All are welcome to attend this presentation and discussion about everybody's favourite topic: AI sentience! Even those with little technical or philosophical background should find this a thought-provoking event.

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Can we build conscious machines?

BathML member Ben Hoyle will be leading the conversation this time. Thanks Ben :)

Join us for an intellectually stimulating evening as we dive into the elusive question: Can we build conscious machines? We'll traverse the landscapes of philosophy, neuroscience, and comparative brain anatomy to tackle this complex topic. What we'll cover:

• Debunk various myths surrounding machine consciousness.
• Explore the varied definitions and dimensions of consciousness (and its problems).
• Examine experimental evidence for different forms of consciousness in humans.
• Investigate what animal anatomy might tell us about the possibility of conscious machines.
• Envision future machines that not only compute but also "dream."
• Gain practical insights into how we might actually go about building these conscious entities.

We hope to spur a group discussion on a topic that has the potential to reshape how we understand both technology and ourselves. See you there!

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Event plan:

• 'doors open' at 18:30
• presentation / talk / discussion from 18:45–19:45
• networking onwards, we have the venue for the rest of the evening but will probably wrap up around 20:30

Note: there is a bar at the venue, so we can hang out there.

You don't need to prepare or bring anything except a curious mind!

This event is open to everybody, and all are welcome regardless of knowledge or understanding.

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Discord:

As a reminder, we now have a Discord server. Join it by clicking here to stay up to date with everything we're doing!

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Please get in touch with any questions or comments (etc). I've enabled the chat feature on this event, so that's the first place to go. If you want to ask something or speak privately, then you can DM me on social media, where I'm @65536william or you can send a Discord message to @65536william.

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Venue:

The Drawing Rooms, 19 Union Passage, Bath, BA1 1RD

To find the venue: the location might be signposted as 'TDR'. If you enter The Corridor from the Guildhall entrance, go through and turn right when you reach Ganesha jewellery shop. The entrance is a black door opposite the back of Skechers.