Unfolding Our Shared Future Talk Series
Kingston University Public Event
June 10, 4.30-6.30pm, Project Space Level 2, Kingston University Town House
THIS EVENT HAS OCCURED
The UK is gearing up for an election on (US) Independence Day. Come join us to gain journalistic and academic insight into how democracy in the UK, the US, and elsewhere is being impacted by artificial intelligence.
In 2024 large swathes of the planet vote in elections of all types. To pick just a few, there have been elections for mayors of major UK cities and regions; there is a general election in India with results due in early June; European Union elections in the days before this event; a US presidential election in November; and now a UK General Election on July 4. It is enough to make even the most avid election watcher breathless.
At all levels, these elections intersect with societies grappling with the challenges posed, and opportunities offered, by artificial intelligence. How, one might ponder, will tools that offer both great promise, but whose limitations (while clearly evolving at speed) are obvious, impact elections? And do democratic systems have sufficient guardrails?
This event will draw on expertise from journalism and academia to explore this intersection and consider such questions.
A drinks reception will be held from 4.30pm to 5pm, after which the event will start.
About the Speakers
Stephanie Hare researches technology, politics, history, and the world of work and shares her findings through writing, radio, television, and keynotes. Her most recent book, Technology Is Not Neutral: A Short Guide to Technology Ethics, was selected as one of the best books of summer 2022 by the Financial Times and as one of the best books of 2022 so far by FT readers.
Timandra Harkness has just published her latest book, Technology is Not the Problem. Her previous book was Big Data. She has presented programmes extensively on BBC Radio, including six series of Future Proofing (not just technology, but big ideas that are shaping the future). With a BA in Film & Drama with Art & Art History, a BSc in Maths and Statistics; an MA in Philosophy and further research ongoing, she describes herself as a ‘presenter, writer and lapsed comedian’.
About the Host
Peter Finn is a multi-award-winning Senior Lecturer in Politics at Kingston University, London. He is interested in multiple elements of democracy, including US and UK elections and how oversight of national security operations occurs in a democratic context. He is Web Team Lead for the American Politics Group, and was the Lead Applicant in the successful American Politics Group application to be the Political Studies Association Specialist Group of the Year 2023-24. He is Co-Editor of The Official Record: Oversight, National Security and Democracy (Manchester University Press, 2024).
Welcome Address by: Professor John Craig, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Education at Kingston University and Honorary Secretary of the Political Studies Association.
Political Studies Association listing: here
Kingston University, London listing: here
Blog post by Peter Finn: here
This talk is part of a series, titled ‘Unfolding Our Shared Future’, which is delivered by the American Politics Group of the Political Studies Association and the host universities with the support of the US Embassy in London.
