Should we be afraid of artificial intelligence?

Just like the steam engine and electricity 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 goods giants, tech companies, appliance manufacturers, and automakers are integrating AI into their products. It is also at the heart of the future of medicine, industry, the banking and insurance sectors, 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 endless debate between technophiles and technophobes.

To discuss this science and society topic, four experts from various disciplines 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, who holds a Ph.D. in information systems management and serves as 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 (CooperAtive MachinE Learning and OpTimization)Research and Teaching Chair in Artificial Intelligence.

The Bar des sciences has become one of Montpellier’s flagship events for scientific culture, offering a participatory, community-driven discussion on all aspects of science once a month 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 theUM scientific outreach departmentsUM its partners: INRAE, INSERM, and IRD.

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