Artificial Intelligence

Professor Alistair Sutcliffe

NEW YEAR – NEW “ARTIFICIAL LIFE”?

One of the hottest topics of 2025 was the ever-growing presence of artificial
intelligence (AI). What will 2026 bring in the way of what some see as being hugely
beneficial to societies globally, but which others see as a threat to jobs and even
mental health?

Audlem Probus Club’s retired business and professional members have the chance to find out at this Thursday’s (8th Jan) illustrated presentation,

“The Future of Artificial Intelligence – Genesis or Nemesis?”,

by Alistair Sutcliffe, Emeritus Professor of Computer Science at the University of Manchester.

As Alistair says: “Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been the Holy Grail of computer science ever since the 1960’s, with the promise of intelligent human-like machines.

Press stories warn that intelligent computers are about to take over the world and Steven Hawking warned of dire consequences. Geoff Hinton, one of the founders of modern AI, and others, have pointed out the dangers of unregulated future
developments and dangerous consequences for humanity.”

Among recent media stories was one by the BBC (20 Aug 2025) saying Mustafa Suleyman, head of Microsoft’s AI, has warned that "seemingly conscious AI" – AI tools which give the appearance of being sentient – are keeping him "awake at night" and have societal impact even though the technology is not conscious in any human definition of the term. "There's zero evidence of AI consciousness today. But if people just perceive it as conscious, they will believe that perception as reality".

Others have expressed concerns about a new condition called "AI psychosis", a nonclinical term describing incidents of people relying on AI chatbots and becoming convinced that something imaginary is real. One formed a romantic relationship with a chatbot, another was convinced he was about to become a millionaire.Science – or fiction? Which will dominate?

Alistair adds: “In this talk I will explain how AI systems work as learning machines and their dependence on ‘big data’. Current applications of AI will be surveyed with a review of successes, failures and problems arising from their use. This will lead to the implications of AI being dominated by large IT companies in USA and China and how AI has become embedded in nearly all Internet technology, especially social media.

The potential impact on employment and future influences on society will be reviewed including ChatGPT and the evolution of general intelligence and its implications for politics, society and our everyday lives

Guests & visitors welcome from 10am, Thurs Jan 8th Audlem Public Hall.