Should we be afraid of artificial intelligence?

Just like the steam engine or electricity in the past, artificial intelligence is transforming our world and society, making it one of the most strategic technologies of the 21st century.

Today more than ever, consumer giants, tech product manufacturers, appliance makers, and car manufacturers are incorporating AI into their products. It is also at the heart of the future of medicine, industry, banking and insurance, defense, and aeronautics.

As for the arrival of generative AI, it represents a technological upheaval that is redefining our relationship with machines and fueling an endless debate between technophiles and technophobes.

To discuss this topic of science and society, four multidisciplinary experts will answer questions from the audience live:

• Alain Chavanieu, professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy (University of Montpellier). Head of the Master's program in Biology and Health, Translational Medicinal Chemistry track;

• Mathieu Lafourcade, PhD in computer science, researcher at the Montpellier Laboratory of Computer Science, Robotics, and Microelectronics (LIRMM);

• David Morquin, hospital physician specializing in infectious and tropical diseases, doctor of information systems management, medical director of ERIOS (research and integration center for digital health tools), a unit of Montpellier University Hospital;

• Joseph Salmon, professor at the University of Montpellier (mathematics laboratory, IMAG). Junior member of the IUF, and recipient of theCamelot Research and Teaching Chair in Artificial Intelligence (CooperAtive MachinE Learning and OpTimization).

The Science Bar has become one of Montpellier's flagship scientific culture events, offering a monthly participatory debate for citizens on all aspects of science from January to June. Throughout the season, scientists are invited to engage in a dialogue where their knowledge and practices are shared, but can also be discussed.

The season is co-produced by the scientific culture departments of the University of Montpellier and its partners: INRAE, INSERM, and IRD.

This event is part of the AI Market series.