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The British Computer Society CHRISTMAS LECTURE 2005 |
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Thursday
1st December 2005
Techniquest,
Cardiff (Map and Parking)
The evening will begin at
6.30 pm with a seasonal reception and free tour of the Techniquest
exhibition (including an opportunity to take the famous Turing
Test Challenge).
followed at 7.15
pm by .....
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Keynote Lecture and Discussion (ends 8.30pm) Conscious Machines What Are They Going to Ask For First? Igor Aleksander, Imperial College Igor Aleksander is Emeritus Professor and Leverhulme Research Fellow in Neural Systems Engineering, and Former Head of Electrical Engineering and Pro Rector at Imperial College London. MORE .... |
Professor
Aleksander 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).