Global Diversity in the Sociotechnical Imagination of AI

Wed Nov 12 2025 at 05:00 pm to 07:00 pm UTC+00:00

SG2, Alison Richard Building | San Francisco

Centre of Governance and Human Rights (CGHR)
Publisher/HostCentre of Governance and Human Rights (CGHR)
Global Diversity in the Sociotechnical Imagination of AI
Advertisement
This talk contrasts AI research in Ethiopia’s Amhara region with Mātauranga Māori and others, exploring the impact on policy and strategy.
About this Event

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has always been embedded in complex networks of cultural imagination, corporate business, and sociopolitical power relations. The great majority of AI research around the world, and almost all commentary on that research, assumes that the imagination, business, and political systems of Western culture and the Global North are sufficient to understand how this technology should develop in future.

This seminar investigates the context within which AI research has been imagined and conducted in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, and explores this in contrast to Mātauranga Māori and indigenous knowledge systems of Aotearoa and Moana Oceania. The questions raised have implications for public policy, technology strategy, future research in development contexts, and the principles that might be applied as practical engineering priorities.


About the speaker

Alan Blackwell is Professor of Interdisciplinary Design in the Cambridge Computer Laboratory. He joined the AI engineering group at Cambridge Consultants Limited in 1989, following an MSc in the field at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. His multi-disciplinary interests have included an undergraduate major in comparative religion and 40 years as an orchestral musician. He is a Fellow of Darwin College, co-founder with David Good of the Crucible Network for research in Interdisciplinary Design, and with David and Lara Allen the Cambridge Global Challenges interdisciplinary research centre.

Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

SG2, Alison Richard Building, 7 West Road, San Francisco, United States

Tickets

GBP 0.00

Icon
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Ask AI if this event suits you:

More Events in San Francisco

The Darkness
Wed, 12 Nov at 04:00 pm The Darkness

The Fillmore - San Francisco

Infinity Song
Wed, 12 Nov at 04:00 pm Infinity Song

The Great American Music Hall

Modi
Wed, 12 Nov at 04:00 pm Modi

Palace Of Fine Arts

Cut Copy
Wed, 12 Nov at 04:00 pm Cut Copy

The Regency Ballroom

Patti Smith
Wed, 12 Nov at 04:00 pm Patti Smith

The Masonic - San Francisco

Step Into Your Millionaire Era
Wed, 12 Nov at 05:30 pm Step Into Your Millionaire Era

3115 Clement St

Matchbook-Neon Typography Tour  11\/12
Wed, 12 Nov at 05:30 pm Matchbook-Neon Typography Tour 11/12

On the sidewalk near John's Grill 63 Ellis Street

Women's Health & Fertility Class
Wed, 12 Nov at 05:30 pm Women's Health & Fertility Class

The Heights Chiropractic

Fall Sign Making Workshop
Wed, 12 Nov at 05:30 pm Fall Sign Making Workshop

Humanmade

Beyond the Bench: To the Bar, Happy Hour
Wed, 12 Nov at 05:30 pm Beyond the Bench: To the Bar, Happy Hour

UC Law San Francisco

San Francisco is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore San Francisco Events