BMRI Annual Conference: Artificial Intelligence: utopic and dystopic visions

The 2024 BMRI Annual Conference held on 17 January was a huge success.

This year theme - Artificial Intelligence: Utopic and Dystopic Visions - attracted a fantastic audience of 65 people attending face to face and another 25 people on line. Even at the end of the day the conference room was full.

Artificial intelligence (AI) – everyone is talking about it at the moment. The speed of developments in AI is daunting and the potential implications seem huge. The programme included something for everyone, from philosophical reflections (on AI and Sufism) to practical applications of AI in business, teaching and research.

BMRI Annual Conference 2024 Flyer [PDF]

Our two guest speakers, Guy Huber, from Oxford Brooks University, and Faye Ellis from Plural Sight gave provocative and engaging presentations, alongside speakers representing all levels of research and innovation, from professors to undergraduates.

Our partnership with Middle East University was well represented, with presentations from academic researchers and PhD students. Discussions carried on into the breaks, with the on-line audience using the chat box to create a virtual community within the conference.

The conference was not only a great showcase for the innovative and exciting research going on a UoB but also for people more involved in teaching or business engagement to share mutual concerns and insights.