Questions about AGI

Peter Scott is the host of the renowned podcast "Artificial Intelligence and You", which has released over 150 episodes since its launch in June 2020. The theme of that podcast is "What is AI? How will it affect your life, your work, and your world?" Peter's guests include a who's who of AI pioneers, experts, analysts, and critics, as well as some lesser known names with perspectives that are unusual but important.

On the 12th of August, Peter will be visiting London Futurists in our usual real-world meeting location in Birkbeck College, to bring us up to date with what he has learned from his guests and his own recent research - particularly on the growing capabilities of generative AI systems and the potential creation of AGI (Artificial General Intelligence).

This will be a prelude to a wide-ranging group conversation that will explore options on the most critical questions about AI and AGI.

Meeting logistics

2pm-4pm, Sat 12th August 2023.

Venue: Room 532, Birkbeck College, Torrington Square WC1E 7HX, London.

Room 532 is on the 5th floor in the main Birkbeck College building, in Torrington Square (which is a pedestrian-only square). Torrington Square is about 10 minutes walk from either Russell Square or Goodge St tube stations.

Note: this event will not be hybrid: there are no plans to livestream it.

About the speaker

From http://humancusp.com/about/

Peter Scott’s résumé reads like a Monty Python punchline: half business coach, half information technology specialist, half teacher, three-quarters daddy.

After receiving a master’s degree in Computer Science from Cambridge University, he has worked for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory as an employee and contractor for over thirty years, helping advance our exploration of the Solar System. Over the years, he branched out into writing technical books and training. Yet at the same time, he developed a parallel career in “soft” fields of human development, getting certifications in NeuroLinguistic Programming from founder John Grinder and in coaching from the International Coaching Federation. Bridging these disparate worlds positions him to envisage a delicate solution to the existential crises facing humanity.

Peter has spoken before numerous audiences in several countries, including the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Artificial Intelligence (APPG-AI) in Britain's House of Lords. He lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and two daughters.

Peter is the author of two books:

• Artificial Intelligence and You: What AI Means For Your Life, Your Work, and Your World
• Crisis of Control: How Artificial Superintelligences May Save or Destroy the Human Race

Wifi access

Wireless network: BBK-Guest
Username: London
Password: KmyvQX

(The username and password are case sensitive. In practise, it seems this wifi system sometimes needs 2-3 attempts to make a successful connection.)

Covering meeting costs

A small fee (£10) is payable to attend this meetup. This fee covers room hire costs. Please pay in advance, online, after you RSVP.

(NB you don't need a PayPal account to use the PayPal interface.)

Alternatively, if there are still seats available, payment of £10 in that case can be made in cash at the event on the day. (Requesting payment in advance assists with accurate planning of the event.)

Journalists are welcome to attend the meeting free-of-charge - please contact the organiser in advance.

After meeting

The event will be followed by a chance to continue and extend the discussion in a nearby pub - the Marlborough Arms in Torrington Place, where a variety of drinks and food options will be available.

To help confirm arrangements with the Marlborough Arms, kindly indicate in this separate meetup page if you are likely to attend that gathering.