Brian Christian, a computer programmer and best-selling author engaged with the challenges presented by the development in Artificial Intelligence, will be on campus to present the annual Chapman Lecture in the Humanities.
The lecture is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 7 in Leonard Auditorium, Main Building. This event is free and open to the public.
Christian is the author of "The Alignment Problem: Machine Learning and Human Values." He will dig deep into issues surrounding Al and higher education to assess how we can anticipate problems between Al and humanity, and hopefully solve them before it’s too late. Afterwards, he will be available for questions and to sign books.
In anticipation of Brian Christian's talk later that day, faculty are invited to meet the Chapman lecturer and to discuss his earlier books, his trajectory as a writer, and his interest in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Join us for lunch in the Anna Todd room in Burwell beginning at 11 a.m.
“The Alignment Problem” was recently named one of the five most important books on AI by the New York Times.
“We are thrilled to welcome Brian Christian as part of Wofford’s year-long initiative to understand AI and its impact on higher education,” says Dr. Kimberly Hall, who leads Wofford’s Artificial Intelligence Working Group. “Brian is one of the most influential thinkers on the philosophical and ethical dimensions of AI and machine learning. His visit will offer us an opportunity to consider the implications of technology on the human experience and how Wofford can play an important role in this conversation moving forward.”
Faculty Panel March 15
Dr. James Bednar, associate professor of philosophy, Rebecca Forstater, assistant professor of studio art, and Dr. Nicole Tobias, assistant professor of computer science, will lead a panel discussion about Dr. Brian Christian’s work on Artificial Intelligence. The panel will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, March 15 in the Grey-Jones Room in Burwell Building.
Lunch will be provided courtesy of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. Please note that neither attendance at the Chapman Lecture or advance reading of Christian’s book is required. To obtain a copy of the chapter, please email Dr. Kimberly Hall (hallka@wofford.edu).