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Generative AI Should Be Stopped! The Web Search Revolution Public Debate
17 August 2023 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm AEST
Join us on Thursday 17 August for a lively debate on the implications of Generative AI and its societal impact.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has long been just over the horizon. But with the emergence of Generative AI systems like ChatGPT and Midjourney, suddenly it’s here and shockingly good. With the potential to reshape economies, societies and our lives, these remarkable technologies demand our attention and raise important questions about the role AI should have in society.
Featuring experts in the field, this debate will shed light on the serious hazards and enormous potential of Generative AI. The affirmative side will argue that we must stop progress in this technology and focus on minimising its harms and render it safe. The negative will emphasise the importance of integrating this Promethean Gift into every corner of our lives.
Register now to secure your spot and engage in a thought-provoking debate on the future of Generative AI.
This is the evening component of The Web Search Revolution Symposium. See the full event here.
Schedule
- 6:00pm
Public debate - 7:00pm
Light refreshments
Moderator
A/Prof Chris Berg
RMIT University
Chris is Director of the Blockchain Innovation Hub at RMIT University. He is a political economist and economic historian best known for his unhinged speculations about the sinking of the Titanic in the Wall Street Journal. He used to appear a lot on public radio and television. He still does, but he used to as well.
Speakers
Dr Rachel Bailes
Australian Information Industry Association
Rachel is head of policy for the Australian Information Industry Association. She is an experienced policy adviser, solicitor, and communications professional with 10 years’ experience in government, member-based organisations and professional associations She is committed to supporting the role of technology as Australia’s backbone as well as emerging and critical technologies, domestic capability, and digital skills uplift.
Prof Sinclair Davidson
RMIT University
Sinclair is an institutional economist with the Blockchain Innovation Hub. He is a regular contributor to public policy debates in Australia, particularly on topics of economic freedom. His most recent work focuses on the limits of economic calculation.
Dr Aaron Lane
Lawyer, Supreme Court of Victoria
RMIT University
Aaron is a lawyer in the Supreme Court of Victoria and an economist. Aaron began his legal career in private practice acting and appearing for clients in administrative, commercial and criminal matters. As a regulatory analyst, he has worked with leading Australian think tanks on economic and financial regulation. He has appeared to give expert evidence before State and Federal parliamentary inquiries and has contributed to an Amicus Brief filed in the Supreme Court of the United States. More recently, Aaron has advised Australian and foreign governments on the regulation of blockchain and cryptocurrency.
Professor Jason Potts
ADM+S, RMIT University
Jason Potts is an evolutionary economist who studies open innovation and the dynamics of new technologies and the economic institutions that support them. He works across the Blockchain Innovation Hub and the ADMS. He is editor of the Journal of Institutional Economics.
Dr Jana Schmitz
.au Domain
Jana is .au Domain’s Policy Advisor for domestic internet and technology policy. She monitors and responds to policy developments relevant for the Domain Name System (DNS) and the internet community more broadly. Before joining .au Domain, Jana was CPA Australia’s Digital Economy Policy Lead, covering technology policy matters affecting accounting and finance professionals.
Prof Chirag Shah
University of Washington
Chirag is Professor in Information School (iSchool) at University of Washington (UW) in Seattle. He is also Adjunct Professor with Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering as well as Human Centered Design & Engineering (HCDE). He is the Founding Director for InfoSeeking Lab and Founding Co-Director of Center for Responsibility in AI Systems & Experiences (RAISE). He works in the area of intelligent information access systems, focusing on task-oriented search, proactive recommendations, and conversational systems. He is also engaged in work with generative AI, specifically in information access and image classification problems.