Stunningly new and rooted in ancient desires, as we face the ‘god-like’ technology of AI, can we still flourish as people and communities?About this Event
In the year 1600 a monk is burned at the stake for claiming to have built a device that will allow him to know all things...
350 years later, having witnessed ‘Trinity’ - the first test of the atomic bomb - America’s leading scientist outlines a memory machine that will help end war on earth...
25 years in the making, an ex-soldier finally unveils this ‘machine for augmenting human intellect’, dazzling as he stands ‘Zeus-like, dealing lightning with both hands.’
Now, the Head of the UK’s office for AI safety warns that we must ‘pause in the race towards god-like AI.’ What can this mean for us as spiritual beings?
Stunningly new and rooted in ancient desires, as this ‘god-like’ technology comes amongst us, what can learn from the myths and monsters of the past about how to survive alongside our greatest-ever invention?
Esteemed author and a leading voice in the discussion of technology and spirituality, Kester Brewin will be speaking and opening a discussion on AI, spirituality and community.
Kester is an acclaimed writer and speaker, and the author of God-like: a 500-Year History of Artificial Intelligence in myths, machines, monsters.
He is a Director at the Institute for the Future of Work, a research institute exploring how AI and automation technologies are impacting labour markets. The author of five celebrated works of non-fiction, he has twice presented at TEDx Exeter, written for The Guardian, Adbusters and the TES, and presented for BBC Radio 4. His debut novel, Middle Class, was shortlisted for the Bridport Prize in 2022.
The entry price includes a glass of wine and refreshments. Copies of the book will be available.
Read the opening pages of GOD-LIKE .
Event Venue
St George's Church, Whatley, Frome, United Kingdom
GBP 8.00 to GBP 10.00