Should we be afraid of artificial intelligence?

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

Today more than ever, consumer giants and manufacturers of tech products, home appliances, and cars are integrating AI into their products. It is also at the heart of the future of medicine, industry, banking and insurance, defense, and aerospace.

As for the advent of generative AI, it represents a technological revolution that is redefining our relationship with machines and fueling an ongoing debate between tech enthusiasts and tech skeptics.

To discuss this topic at the intersection of science and society, four experts from various fields will answer questions from the audience live:

• Alain Chavanieu, professor at the School of Pharmacy (University of Montpellier). Director of the Master’s program in Biology and Health, with a specialization in Translational Medicinal Chemistry;

• Mathieu Lafourcade, Ph.D. in Computer Science, researcher at the Montpellier Laboratory of Computer Science, Robotics, and Microelectronics (LIRMM);

• David Morquin, a hospital physician specializing in infectious and tropical diseases, with a Ph.D. in information systems management, and Medical Director of ERIOS (a center for research and integration of digital tools in healthcare), a unit of the Montpellier University Hospital;

• Joseph Salmon, professor at the University of Montpellier (Mathematics Laboratory, IMAG), Junior Member of the IUF, and holder of theCamelot Research and Teaching Chair in Artificial Intelligence (CooperAtive Machine Learning and Optimization).

The Science Bar has become one of Montpellier’s premier events for scientific culture, offering a monthly participatory public discussion on all aspects of science from January through June. Throughout the season, scientists are invited to engage in a dialogue where their knowledge and practices are not only shared but also open to discussion.

The season is co-produced by the UM’s science communication departments and its partners: INRAE, INSERM, and IRD.

This event is part of the Halles de l’IA series.