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SOUTH WALES BRANCH

Conscious Machines

What Are They Going to
Ask For First?

Christmas Lecture 2005

Igor Aleksander, Imperial College

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!

Thursday 1st December 2005
Reception & Free Tour: 6:30pm
Keynot Lecture: 7:15pm
Techniquest, Cardiff

http://southwales.bcs.org/p-2005-12-01.htm

Non-members and students are welcome to all 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.

Ticket Requests: ralphmiller@bwlch.freeserve.co.uk