Watch Party: The Voltaire Lecture 2025 | What is Conciousness?

## What is consciousness? And could AI have it? | Professor Anil Seth | The Voltaire Lecture 2025

Join us to watch - as a group - a livestream of the Voltaire Lecture 2025 from Conway Hall in London, in which Professor Anil Seth will set out an approach to understanding consciousness. He will consider whether consciousness might depend not just on ‘information processing’, but on properties unique to living, biological organisms, before ending with an exploration of the ethical implications of an artificial intelligence that is either actually conscious, or can convincingly pretend to be. After the lecture we will hold a group discussion on what we might have learned; we may even continue this in the pub!

Anil Seth is a neuroscientist, author, and public speaker who has pioneered research into the brain basis of consciousness for more than 20 years. He is Professor of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience and Director of the Centre for Consciousness Science at the University of Sussex.

The Voltaire Lecture explores ‘any aspect of scientific or philosophical thought or human activity as affected by or with particular reference to humanism’. The lecture and medal are named for the philosopher Voltaire.

We are asking for a voluntary donation (suggested £5-10) to offset room and equipment hire. We can collect this in cash or electronically on the night, although it would be really helpful if you could register and donate in advance here.

We will gather in the Institute Room at 19:00 for a 19:30 live screening of the lecture - we're excited to be able to experience this annual event together!