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Professor Aleksander (Emeritus Professor and Leverhulme Research Fellow in Neural Systems Engineering, and Former Head of Electrical Engineering and Pro Rector at Imperial College London) is a world-renowned expert in artificial intelligence, neural networks and artificial consciousness. He designed the world’s first neural pattern recognition system in the 1980s (the WISARD), and in 1991 laid down the principles for the first neural vision machine (the MAGNUS). His lecture will tackle the age-old philosophical problem of what "consciousness" is and means. He will recount his fascination with the "purposeful" behaviour of mechanisms, ask how the cellular networks of the brain create the sensations that are called ‘being conscious’, and explore how a conscious machine might be different from an artificially intelligent one. Perhaps most importantly of all, he will conclude by explaining why we need not worry about conscious robots ever deciding to take over the world - they just won't want the hassle!
Non-members and students are welcome to all South Wales Branch events. This being our annual family event, visitors are particularly encouraged to bring spouse, partner, children, grandchildren, etc. There is no limit on numbers in the Techniquest exhibition and Turing Test Challenge, although admission to the lecture itself will be e-ticketed. Applications by e-mail to the Branch Secretary (ralphmiller@bwlch.freeserve.co.uk).
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