“AI, ethics, and data: what level(s) of consciousness?” will be the theme of the next Science Bar.
On Thursday, June 12, at 7 p.m., the University of Montpellier is organizing a new edition of the Science Bar. On this occasion, three researchers will discuss levels of consciousness in AI, its ethics, and its data: Mathieu Lafourcade, PhD in computer science and researcher at the Montpellier Laboratory of Computer Science, Robotics, and Microelectronics; François Sabot, PhD in plant genomics from Montpellier at the IRD in the Plant Diversity, Adaptation, and Development Laboratory; and Jérôme Béranger, PhD in digital ethics and expert in ethics and AI.
The Science Bar has become one of Montpellier's flagship scientific culture events, offering a monthly participatory and citizen-led debate 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, IRD, and Radio Aviva. This evening event will be translated into sign language.
A Science Bar dedicated to artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is already here, often discreet, but sometimes very visible. It is integrated into many aspects of our daily lives: geolocation, image recognition, data processing, text or image generation. It is profoundly transforming our lifestyles and becoming increasingly prevalent in a wide range of fields: health, the environment, language, scientific research, and many others.
But AI is no longer limited to performing automated tasks: today, it raises major questions about our relationship to consciousness, creativity, responsibility, and the choices we make as a society. In the short to medium term, how far can these technologies evolve? Can we imagine AI capable of feeling, imagining, creating poetry, and experiencing empathy? Could it one day develop a form of consciousness? And beyond this dizzying question: are we fully aware of our practices with AI and their consequences?
To explore these issues and open up the debate, three experts with complementary approaches will answer questions from the audience live, in a meeting open to all.
To discuss this topic, three multidisciplinary experts will answer questions from the audience:
- Mathieu LAFOURCADE: Doctor of Computer Science and researcher at the Montpellier Laboratory of Computer Science, Robotics, and Microelectronics (LIRMM – CNRS, University of Montpellier and INRIA, Paul-Valery-Montpellier University, and UPVD). His research combines the fields of computer science, linguistics, and AI, and currently focuses on the automatic processing of human languages and lexical semantics.
- François SABOT: Doctor of Plant Genomics at IRD in the Plant Diversity, Adaptation, and Development Laboratory (DIADE – IRD, CIRAD, and University of Montpellier), and coordinator of the working group dedicated to artificial intelligence at IRD. His research focuses on plant genomes, their mechanisms, structure, and evolution, as well as bioinformatic data analysis using AI.
- Jérôme BERANGER: Doctor of Digital Ethics, Ethics & AI Expert for the EuropIA Institute, Director of GoodAlgo, and Associate Researcher in the BIOETHICS team at the Center for Epidemiology and Research Population Health (CERPOP – INSERM and Paul Sabatier University Toulouse III). His research focuses on the moral and societal approach to the digital revolution. He also publishes scientific works on the subject. His latest book is entitled "Conscious AI is no longer a utopia! There is still time to prepare for it, 2024, De Boeck Supérieur."
Practical information:
- Date: Thursday, June 12, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Location: Emile Zola media library in Montpellier
- Free admission subject to availability