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First Annual DC Lecture Series Begins with 2001 & AI
Washington, DC (Jan. 25, 2018) – The Museum of Science Fiction will present a quarterly lecture series this year in Washington, DC focusing on present day and near future developments in the fields of commercial space travel, artificial intelligence, robotics, and other technology. The first lecture, “AI and Cognitive Computing,” will take place on February 22 at the offices of K&L Gates, a co-sponsor of the series.
“This year marks the 50th anniversary of Stanley Kubrick’s classic film 2001: A Space Odyssey. How close are we to actually creating the HAL 9000 supercomputer?” posits Dr. Phil Frana, associate dean and professor of software studies at James Madison University. Dr. Frana will discuss current trends in cognitive technologies, supercomputer design, artificial intelligence, humans working with machines, and computational creativity. He is author of the forthcoming ABC-CLIO book, The Past, Present, and Future of Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Automation (2019).
“As the only law firm to endow a university program to examine the ethics and issues surrounding AI, K&L Gates believes it is important to give careful thought to what a future with AI will look like. Science fiction helps us imagine that future, and we are proud to host this lecture with the Museum of Science Fiction,” commented Paul Stimers, Partner at K&L Gates and member of the Museum of Science Fiction’s Board of Advisors.
The Museum’s 2018 lecture series will be open to the public. It is designed to show how science fiction continually inspires individuals, influences cultures, and affects societies. The lecture series also serves as an educational catalyst to expand interest in STEAM fields: science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Other quarterly lecture topics include:
- Commercial Space Travel on June 7 with author and scientist, David Brin
- Asteroid Mining on September 27
- Robotics and UAVs on November 8
The series also recognizes continuing support from the Arthur C. Clarke Foundation to celebrate the 50 th anniversary of the iconic film, 2001: A Space Odyssey written by Clarke and his early portrayal of artificial intelligence as the HAL 9000 computer.
For tickets and more information on upcoming lectures, please go to:
www.museumofsciencefiction.org/2018-lecture-series |
