English Discussion
Meet other local people interested in English Discussion: share experiences, inspire and encourage each other! Join a English Discussion group.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Check out english discussion events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.
Discover all the english discussion events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.
Absolutely! Find english discussion events near your location here. Connect with your local community and discover events within your area.
English Discussion Events Today
Join in-person English Discussion events happening right now
Meditation and Discussion Group: The Laws of the Universe
Join Stephen Fiyalko, President of the Melbourne Theosophical Society for meditation, self attunement, study and discussion on the Laws of the Universe.
We welcome all to join at 5:30pm for a 30 min Meditation and will begin the discussion group at 6:00pm. For those who prefer to just attend the discussion group you're welcome to arrive at 6pm.
An understanding of and action within the Laws through our choices give practical tools for facing, managing and surmounting with confidence the many challenges we face in our daily lives, in society and the world itself. Ignorance of the Laws can leave us adrift to be buffeted and feel overwhelmed by stormy seas.
Each week will look at one of the twelve Laws which are principles, not rules, seeking a deeper understanding of that Law, our and their inter-relationship with the other Laws.
Discussion will involve sharing stories from our lives which contribute to a growing understanding and confidence in our lives.
Each session is free, but donations are welcome.
🚩FREE Friday Language Exchange Social🌍
**🙋♀️**Welcome to FREE FRIDAY Social + language exchange meetup. Meet people from many countries and make new friends.
👉We always have MANY people attending our Friday event since this event is listed in 3 different meetup groups. Some people come early some come late, best time is between 6:30pm to 9:30pm.
👉This is a great opportunity to learn to speak English with native and non-native speakers. Many English speakers, Europeans, Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, and other Asians attend our fun and friendly party.
👉It is suitable for international students, working holiday people, professional ex-pats, and local Australians.
Clayton Bible Discussion
Whether you're a Christian or not, this is the place for you!
Every Friday night we get together for fun, games, free food and great discussions🙌
Messages for exact address!
Come along to see what the Bible says about 'Dating, Friendship, Money, Fear and much more'.
Most don't RSVP so we usually have about 10 - 15 attend.
Contact for more details!
Sean: 0490 696 844
Teigan: 0490 703 387
Free Soccer ⚽️ Watch Party South Korea 🇰🇷 vs Czech Republic 🇨🇿
⚽🔥 FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 WATCH PARTY – SOUTH KOREA 🇰🇷 vs CZECHIA 🇨🇿 🔥⚽
Get ready for one of the BIGGEST international football watch events in Melbourne! 🌍🏆
Join hundreds of football fans, international students, travelers, locals, and cultural exchange lovers for an unforgettable World Cup experience full of energy, entertainment, prizes, music, and global vibes! 🎉
🦉 Hosted by Lingo the Owl & LINGUAS Australia
📅 Thursday 12 June
⏰ Kick-off: 11:30AM (Melbourne Time)
📍 OwLingo Nest Arena
202 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
⚽ MATCH:
🇰🇷 South Korea vs 🇨🇿 Czechia
🏆 FIFA World Cup 2026™ – Group A
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🎊 WHAT TO EXPECT:
🔥 Massive World Cup atmosphere
📺 LIVE match on the BIG SCREEN
🎶 Music & entertainment before and after the game
🎁 Prizes, giveaways & surprise rewards
📸 Fan cam & selfie moments
🌍 Meet people from all around the world
🗣️ International social vibes & language exchange
🎭 Fun games & crowd activities
🦉 Hosted by Lingo the Owl
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🎁 WIN BIG!
We’ll be giving away exciting prizes during the event including:
🏆 World Cup goodies
🎟️ Surprise gifts
🍹 Venue rewards
📸 Social media giveaways
🎉 And more!
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
👕 Wear your team colours, bring your flags, bring your friends and get ready to sing, cheer and celebrate together!
Whether you support Korea, Czechia, or simply love football and international culture — this is the place to be.
🌟 COME EARLY. STAY LATE. EXPERIENCE THE WORLD CUP TOGETHER!
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
📸 Follow & tag:
@LinguasAustralia
日本人の友達を作り、オーストラリア人と英語を練習しましょう。ワーキングホリデー。最終入場は午後8.30時です。
オーストラリア人と英語を練習し、オーストラリアにいる他の日本人と友達になりましょう。このイベントでは、世界中の人々と出会うこともできます。イベントはバーで行われるため、食べ物やアルコールを注文できます。スペースに限りがあるため、参加するにはこのページで返信する必要があります。ゲストの人数を記入してください。会場が満員の場合は入場できませんので、時間通りにお越しください。instagram.com/eventsinmelb でフォローしてください。
最終入場は午後8.30時です。
CREATING and IMPROVING ABILITY! Free Meetup!
Your ability to work and live with others is crucial to your survival.
To survive well one needs ability.
Today meetup topic: Creating and Improving Ability
And if you think you already have all the ability one needs to survive well then it is important for you to learn how to KEEP IT FROM GOING AWAY.
Attend our Free Meetup!
Definition for Ability: One's power to observe, to make decisions and to act.
A man is as free, as well-off, as he is able.
A family is as happy as it has ability.
A business is as well-off as it has able people in it.
A country is as well-off as it has able workers, foremen and executives.
At today's meetup learn what constitutes ability and more importantly how to develop and improve it so that it does not go away.
Fact's are that one's ability is never the same. It either goes up or it will go down.
Your natural as well as learned abilities are constantly subject to many of life's pressures.
One can therefore simply not rest on one's laurels regarding your current abilities and simply assume they will always be available for use.
The time to protect and enhance ability is when you are still able.
Any loss of ability will result in less confidence followed by problems resulting in unhappiness. This is called the dwindling spiral.
Not just for you, it will impact all others you associate with as well.
Today's topic applies to all aspects of life but will focus on how your abilities or lack of abilities or a sudden or gradual lowering of ability relates to work and family life.
On your arrival you will be asked to complete a Oxford Personality Test.
From this you will learn what ability it is that needs attention and improving.
Whilst at our meetup you will also learn about some of the different technologies are that you find here which actively create, protect or enhance ability in key areas of life.
The world cries out for better people (More Able People) that will lead happier life's with better better jobs, stronger families as well as community and businesses groups.
Get The Know-How for life, attend our meetup or ask me for a time that is better suited to your schedule.
Make Friends In Melbourne, Practice A Language - ALOHA MELBOURNE 🌎🥂🌸
Looking to meet people in Melbourne or practice a new language?
Get your Tix: https://luma.com/1zsmr7e2
Aloha Melbourne is a fun and welcoming weekly social where backpackers, expats and locals come together to connect, chat and make new friends.
The venue energy is international, social and lively, which makes it especially strong for newcomers to the city.
Come solo or with friends, most people come alone and quickly meet others.
**Highlights**
* Meet internationals, backpackers and locals 🌍
* Practice languages in a natural way 🗣️
* Karaoke 🎤
* Board games and icebreakers such as Jenga, Uno and more 🎲
* Pool, ping pong and darts 🎱
* One free drink included 🍸
* Fun, high-energy but still social vibe
**How it works / flow**
Arrive, use your included drink and join a conversation.
The event is easy to join for solo attendees and works especially well for backpackers and internationals.
Games and karaoke help break the ice quickly.
Join the group chat to connect before the event 💬 [https://chat.whatsapp.com/J7UUKaYxxtY6EQQX3xz6IR?mode=gi_t](https://chat.whatsapp.com/J7UUKaYxxtY6EQQX3xz6IR?mode=gi_t&utm_source=luma)
English Discussion Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
FREE English Conversation Class
Join us to learn and practice some English. And have some fun at the same time! We have a different topic every week including a ten minute talk from the Bible.
We look forward to meeting you!
[FREE] Weekly English Class & Community Meetup
Join us for a friendly and relaxed English meetup in South Melbourne! This gathering is perfect for anyone who wants to practise English, meet new friends, and feel part of a welcoming community. Whether you’re an international student, new to Melbourne, or simply looking to connect with others, you’ll find a supportive space to learn and grow.
Each week, we run **two simple sessions**: **Daily English**, where you learn useful everyday vocabulary, and **Learning English from the Bible**, where we explore short passages in clear, beginner-friendly English. You’ll also meet people from different cultures and enjoy meaningful conversations in a warm, inclusive environment.
Come along, make new friends, and enjoy learning English in a place where everyone is welcome. We’d love to meet you!
Progressibu Japanese English Language Exchange
## 🇯🇵 Progressi部: Japanese-English Language & Culture Exchange 🇦🇺
**"Serious Study, Authentic Community" — 本気で学び、本気で交流する。**
Join us for our weekly exchange designed for those dedicated to practicing Japanese and English. This is a space to improve your language skills, share cultural insights, and make new, like-minded friends in a respectful environment.
### 🎯 Who This Group Is For
We welcome individuals who are here to **actively practice their Japanese or English**. Whether you are looking for a study partner or want to learn more about culture, this is a community for focused and meaningful interaction.
**✅ 受付方法 / Event Check-in (Strictly Required)** 到着の際、必ず主催者に以下の提示をお願いします / Upon arrival, please present the following to the organizer:
* **Meetupの参加申し込み(RSVP)画面をご提示ください。** / Show your Meetup RSVP confirmation screen.
* **予約なし(No RSVP)での参加はお断りしております。** / No walk-ins permitted without a confirmed RSVP.
* **Participation Fee: $3 CASH** Non-Japanese citizens.
### 🚫 Conduct & Safety Policy
To ensure a high-quality experience for all members, we maintain a strict standard of behavior:
* **Immediate Ban:** Any individual found guilty of misconduct or creating "trouble" will be banned from the group immediately.**.**
* **Organizer Authority:** The Organizer reserves the right to remove any member at their sole discretion to maintain the safety and integrity of the community.
* **Respectful Interaction:** All members are expected to be polite and mindful of others. Do not make fellow participants feel uncomfortable or pressured.
* **Privacy:** Please respect the personal boundaries of others. Do not pressure members for private contact information.
**If any member makes you feel uncomfortable, please report it immediately to the organizers: Shin, David, or Ray.**
***
### 📝 Event Details
* **Time:** Saturday, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
* **Arrival:** Please arrive **10–15 minutes early** due to limited seating.
* **Entry Fee:** **$3 CASH** (Non-Japanese citizens). This contribution covers monthly meetup hosting fees.
* **Photography:** Photos will be taken during the event for our community archives.
### 🇯🇵 日本語でのご案内
メルボルン市内のカフェで、本気で学べる日英言語文化交流会を主催しています。
* **目的:** 日本語・英語の練習、そして同じ目標を持つ友人作りを目的としています。
* **参加費:** 日本国籍以外の方は $3ドル(現金のみ)。
* **ルール:** 迷惑行為やトラブルを起こす方の参加は一切禁止です。主催者の判断により、即座に退会・出入り禁止の措置を取らせていただきます。
* 困ったことがあれば、すぐにオーガナイザー(Shin, David, Ray)までお知らせください。
### 🔗 Connect With Us
* **Facebook:** [facebook.com/groups/progressibu](https://www.google.com/search?q=http://www.facebook.com/groups/progressibu)
* **X (Twitter):** [twitter.com/progressibu](https://www.google.com/search?q=http://twitter.com/progressibu)
🍹What About a Picnic!?🍹 Language Exchange Event in Hawthorn (EN & JP)
**言語交流会で取り残されたと感じたことはありませんか?問題ありません!**
**Have you felt left out in a language exchange event? Don't worry, we've got your back!**
私たちのイベントでは**しっかりと英語と日本語の時間が区切られている**ので自身の言語のレベルによらず練習できます!**広大な公園で優雅な景色を味わいながら、ジュース片手に言語学習を楽しみましょう!**
**With clearly scheduled language sessions,** you can practice the language you are learning regardless of your level! What are you waiting for? **Let's enjoy chatting in English and Japanese while taking in the strikingly beautiful nature, with a cup of orange juice at hand!**
You don't need to bring anything except your passion for learning. Participation fees, too.
**LOCATION / TIME**
**Location**: Fairview Park
〒Fairview St, Hawthorn VIC, 3122
https://www.google.com/maps/place/37%C2%B049'46.4%22S+145%C2%B001'42.8%22E/@-37.829546,145.0278993,19z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m12!1m7!3m6!1s0x6ad64238aa5ada1d:0xa819c9b07e760c!2sFairview+Park!8m2!3d-37.8303407!4d145.0288851!16s%2Fg%2F11fz9d7ym9!3m3!8m2!3d-37.829546!4d145.028543?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDMxMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
*There are a couple of **parking lots** nearby.*
**Time**: 14:00 - 16:00
**場所/時間**
**場所**:Fairview Park
〒Fairview St, Hawthorn VIC, 3122
https://www.google.com/maps/place/37%C2%B049'46.4%22S+145%C2%B001'42.8%22E/@-37.829546,145.0278993,19z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m12!1m7!3m6!1s0x6ad64238aa5ada1d:0xa819c9b07e760c!2sFairview+Park!8m2!3d-37.8303407!4d145.0288851!16s%2Fg%2F11fz9d7ym9!3m3!8m2!3d-37.829546!4d145.028543?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDMxMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
**時間**:14:00 - 16:00
**Participation fees**
**$5 (PayID ONLY)**
(The participation fees will be collected 5-10 minutes before the end of the event.)
*You will get a cup of 🍹**Orange juice** 🍹to get started at the event!* 😋
*The types of juice served can vary from week to week!*
**参加費用**
**$5 (PayID のみ)**
(イベント終了5-10分前に参加費としてPayIDで$5徴収させていただきます。)
**イベント開始時に🍹オレンジジュース🍹をお配りします!!**
ジュースの種類は週によって変動することがございます。
**Schedule(当日の流れ)**
13:55 - 14:00 pm The organizer will guide participants to a seat and give them a brief overview of the event. *Don't worry! We don't forget your orange juice!!* (主催者が参加者をそれぞれのお席へと案内し、簡単なイベント説明を行う)
20 MIN ENGLISH TIME(英語オンリーの時間)
20 MIN JAPANESE TIME(日本語オンリーの時間)
20 MIN JPN & ENG TIME (英語と日本語ミックスの時間)
15:00pm -SEAT CHANGE (席替え) & STRETCHING TIME
20 MIN ENGLISH TIME(英語オンリーの時間)
20 MIN JAPANESE TIME(日本語オンリーの時間)
20 MIN JPN & ENG TIME (英語と日本語ミックスの時間)
15:50 - 16:00 The $5 via PayID will be collected during this time (PayIDで$5徴収させていただきます。)
16:00 - Wrap-up (締めの言葉)
A WORD FROM THE ORGANIZER
-Bring an umbrella ☂️
-Bring a coat to keep yourself warm in case it gets windy ꩜𖦹
In case it rains, we will move somewhere with a roof, so no worries!
**NOTES**
* To ensure that everyone gets a chance to practice, **please follow the schedule.** We really appreciate your cooperation.
* **RSVP is required to attend the event, as we have limited seats.**
* Provided that there are **fewer than 6 participants**, including the event host, on the event day, **we may cancel the event.** In such a case, participants will be informed through DMs.
* As seating for the event is limited, RSVPs may be adjusted to maintain a balanced group (e.g., nationality, gender) and ensure a smooth international exchange. We appreciate your understanding.
* In the event of a potential natural disaster, we will notify **you by 22:00 p.m** the day before the event regarding whether it will proceed as scheduled.
* Please make sure to **check your RSVP status** **after 22:00 p.m. on the day before the event**, just in case.
* **Children under 16** must be accompanied by a guardian.
* Participation for the purpose of sales, pick-up activities, religious solicitation, or MLM (network marketing) is strictly prohibited.
* We aim to provide a comfortable environment for everyone. Any behavior that makes others feel uncomfortable is not tolerated, and participants may be asked to leave and may be restricted from attending future events.
* Please avoid RSVP’ing to another event that takes place at the same time as ours.
* Please note that we may take photos during the event to show what it’s like. If you’re not comfortable being in photos, just let us know in advance—we’ll be happy to accommodate.
* The organizer is not responsible for any issues or disputes that occur after the event.
**注意事項**
* 参加者全員が練習できるようにするため、区切られた時間に従ってお話していただくことご協力お願いします。
* **人数制限**を設けていますので、**参加登録が必須**となります。
* イベント当日に**参加者が6名未満の場合**、イベントを**中止する**場合があります。その際は、ダイレクトメッセージにてご連絡いたします。
* 座席数に限りがあるため、円滑な国際交流を行う目的で、国籍や性別などのバランスを考慮し、参加状況を調整させていただく場合があります。あらかじめご了承ください。
* 自然災害の恐れがある場合、イベントが予定通り開催されるかどうかにつきましては、前日の**22:00まで**にご連絡いたします。
* **念のため、イベント前日の22:00以降に、ご自身で参加ステータスの確認をお願いいたします。**
**16歳未満のお子様**は保護者の同伴が必要です。
* 営業・ナンパ行為、宗教勧誘、MLM(ネットワークビジネス)などを目的とした参加は固くお断りします。
* 参加者の皆さんが安心して楽しめる環境を大切にしています。他の参加者が不快に感じる行為が見られた場合、途中退場や今後の参加をお断りすることがあります。
* 当イベントと同じ時間帯に開催される他のイベントへの同時参加登録はご遠慮ください。
* SNSでイベントの様子を紹介するため、当日写真を撮影する場合があります。写真に写ることに抵抗がある方は、事前にお知らせください。配慮いたします。
* イベント終了後に発生したトラブルについて、主催者は責任を負いかねます。
Write Now
We are moving to a new platform and will be only running the new platform in 2025. please signup here: [https://www.downtomeet.com/Melbourne-Writers](https://www.downtomeet.com/Melbourne-Writers)
This is the time to write whatever it is you want to write.
\-\-\-\-\-\> IMPORTANT <\-\-\-\-\-\-\-
We ask for the Nook which is to your left as you go in, but it is not always available. Ask for the table under "Mat Clarke".
Sometimes we do not have an official host, so please say hi to people as they arrive and make everyone feel welcome.
Thanks.
No limitations. Come along and bring your laptop or pen and paper and work on whatever you want.
There are no rules :)
You can write.
You can chat and write.
You can share your work. Or not share your work.
(If you need silence to concentrate then headphones are a good idea considering it is in a cafe/bar.)
Coffee, hot chocolate, etc., available to buy. Also food and drink. Please buy something to show our thanks for the space they give us free of charge.
There are some people that will want to chat, but most will be writing. So bear that in mind.
See you there :)
\-\-\-\-\-\-Please only RSVP if you can make it\-\-\-\-\-\-\-
\-\-\-\-\-\-Un\-RSVP if you need to cancel\-\-\-\-\-\-\-
We're booking the area, so we will need you to turn up if you say you are coming. Thanks.
Thank you,
Melbourne Writers.
Great Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelbWriters
Website: www.worldwriterscollective.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelbCityWriters
Blog: http://melbournewriters.wordpress.com
**Help us by adding to these social pages and site**
Sunday Morning Chill Run
How about we kick off the best day with a jog and coffee together?
Trust me, you won't want to miss out!
🏃♂️Training menu🏃♂️
Every Sunday 8:00~
Fed Square Assembly
【https://maps.app.goo.gl/zmPQ6U533pUDcNSA9?g_st=ic】
If you have luggage, please consider using the lockers at the station.
💥40~60 min Jog+Walk
Pace: Easy pace, suitable for beginners. If you got tired, let's walk together.
【schedule】
8:00 Gathering
8:10 Start
9:00 End of training
Challengers we are waiting for you 😊
English Discussion Events Near You
Connect with your local English Discussion community
Upper-intermediate Conversations (B2)
### 👉 **Enroll at [https://www.worklifespanish.com/upper-intermediate-b2.htm](https://www.worklifespanish.com/upper-intermediate-b2.html)**
This is a task-based course that will teach students how to achieve specific objectives, such as meeting someone for the first time, renting an apartment in a Spanish speaking country, giving and following directions to a tourist attraction, creating an advertising campaign, talking about daily routines, interviewing potential employees and much more!
Book: N/A
Day: Thursdays, 6:00pm - 8:00pm ET
Dates: 7/9 - 9/10
Teacher: Mindy
Location: Falls Church
### 👉 **Enroll at [https://www.worklifespanish.com/upper-intermediate-b2.htm](https://www.worklifespanish.com/upper-intermediate-b2.html)**
Parlons français!
Bonsoir à tous! Venez nombreux pour causer autour d'un repas ou d'un verre chez La Madeleine. On n'a que deux règles: (1) qu'on y parle exclusivement le français et (2) qu'on achète quelque chose à boire ou à manger (c'est La Madeleine qui le demande). Merci et à bientôt!
NoVES Philosophy Discussion Series: Right and Wrong
**NoVES Philosophy Discussion Series: Right and Wrong**
To restart NoVES' Philosophy Discussion Series we thought we would choose a topic that is fundamental to philosophy, determining right from wrong. This discussion will look at the thinking that determines right and wrong actions and the values and assumptions underlying these decisions.
Meaningful Conversation and Coffee. At Caffe Amouri in Vienna
Join us for conversations that go beyond small talk, diving into topics like the shifting nature of spirituality, the challenges and joys of midlife transitions, the impact of culture and capitalism, and the search for meaning in art, travel, and daily life. Our gatherings are about genuine, thought-provoking dialogue, with no set leader or strict agenda—just an open space to share ideas, perspectives, and experiences that matter to us. The direction of the discussion is shaped by everyone who shows up, making each event unique and enriching.
Come ready to share, reflect, and connect with others who are also seeking deeper conversations. Let the conversation flow from topic to topic. Optional questions are listed below.
Optional Questions: Life Stages & Transitions
1. What did you think you'd have figured out by now that you're still completely winging?
2. When did you realize your parents' advice was for a world that no longer exists?
3. What are you finally old enough to stop pretending to care about?
Optional Questions: Identity After the Roles
4. Who are you when nobody needs anything from you?
5. What dream keeps resurfacing even though the "practical" time has passed?
6. How do you handle having the freedom you always said you wanted?
Optional Questions: AI & Being Human
7. What human experiences will AI never truly understand?
8. If machines handled all your have-to's, what would you actually do?
9. What becomes more precious as everything becomes automated?
Optional Questions: Belief & Meaning
10. What certainties have you given up, and what rushed in to fill that space?
11. How has knowing someone who died changed how you live?
12. What do you believe now that would shock your younger self?
Optional Questions: The Modern Psyche
13. What anxiety do you carry that previous generations didn't have?
14. Which of your survival strategies are you ready to retire?
15. What uncomfortable truth about happiness did it take you years to accept?
Optional Questions: Work & Purpose
16. When did you stop believing that your job would complete you?
17. What would you do for work if money and status weren't factors?
18. How has your definition of "making it" changed over the years?
Optional Questions: Relationships & Connection
19. What relationship dynamic do you keep recreating, and why?
20. When did you realize your parents were just people trying their best?
21. What kind of loneliness doesn't go away even when you're with others?
Optional Questions: Time & Mortality
22. What are you running out of time to say or do?
23. How differently do you spend your time knowing it's finite?
24. What will you regret not trying, even if you fail?
Optional Questions: Society & Culture
25. What social convention do you follow even though it makes no sense?
26. Which generation do you understand least, and what might you be missing?
27. What aspect of how we live now will seem insane in 20 years?
Optional Questions: Personal Philosophy
28. What rule for life did you create after learning something the hard way?
29. When did you stop believing that everyone else had it figured out
30. What paradox about life have you learned to live with?
Discussing "The Reading List" by Sara Nisha Adams
NOW A LILLY'S LIBRARY PICK!
"The most heartfelt read...a surprising delight of a novel."--Shondaland
An unforgettable and heartwarming debut about how a chance encounter with a list of library books helps forge an unlikely friendship between two very different people in a London suburb.
Widower Mukesh lives a quiet life in Wembley, in West London after losing his beloved wife. He shops every Wednesday, goes to Temple, and worries about his granddaughter, Priya, who hides in her room reading while he spends his evenings watching nature documentaries.
Aleisha is a bright but anxious teenager working at the local library for the summer when she discovers a crumpled-up piece of paper in the back of To Kill a Mockingbird. It’s a list of novels that she’s never heard of before. Intrigued, and a little bored with her slow job at the checkout desk, she impulsively decides to read every book on the list, one after the other. As each story gives up its magic, the books transport Aleisha from the painful realities she’s facing at home.
When Mukesh arrives at the library, desperate to forge a connection with his bookworm granddaughter, Aleisha passes along the reading list…hoping that it will be a lifeline for him too. Slowly, the shared books create a connection between two lonely souls, as fiction helps them escape their grief and everyday troubles and find joy again.
Profs & Pints Northern Virginia: Can Artificial Intelligence “See”?
[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Can Artificial Intelligence ‘See’?”** A look at how humans and artificial intelligence systems interpret the visual world in fundamentally different ways, with Arryn Robbins, assistant professor of psychology at the University of Richmond and cognitive scientist who researches visual attention, perception, and category learning.
[Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-can-AI-see](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-can-AI-see) .]
Artificial intelligence can now identify faces, categorize objects, describe scenes, and outperform humans on certain visual tasks. But does AI actually “see” the world the way that people do? Or does it arrive at correct answers using representations that differ markedly from human perception?
Join Arryn Robbins of the University of Richmond for a fascinating exploration of how humans and AI construct meaning from visual information and a look at comparisons between human perception and AI that reveal just how dynamic and context-dependent our own visual systems really are.
Dr. Robbins, who previously has given excellent Profs and Pints talks on flaws and biases in human visual perception, will draw from research in cognitive science, visual perception, and AI vision systems.
She’ll explain how human perception is not merely a simple recording of the world, but an active process shaped by expectations, context, goals, and recent experience. You’ll learn how humans form flexible mental representations that allow us to recognize objects across changing environments and conditions, and why those representations continuously adapt as we interact with the world.
Many AI systems, by contrast, learn visual categories through statistical patterns in data. They can produce impressive results, but sometimes they also produce strange and unexpected failures, and sometimes they classify images in ways that seem strange to us.
Dr. Robbins will discuss what these differences reveal about the nature of perception itself, and why the mismatch between human and AI representations matters for technologies like self-driving cars, medical imaging, facial recognition, and automated surveillance.
Important for anyone trying to understand the rapidly growing role of AI in daily life, this talk will explore one of the biggest questions in cognitive science and artificial intelligence: What does it actually mean to “see” and understand the world? (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.)
Image: “Eye Farm” by Nevit Dilmen (Wikimedia Commons).










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