Our futures are entangled with data and AI. But considering these automated futures goes beyond what technologies can do; it invites workers, policymakers, and leaders to reflect on how we want to live, learn, and work with AI and data systems. This two-hour interactive event is a creative space to inform and critically explore issues and opportunities arising from digitally-mediated surveillance practices and systems which assist (or complicate) professional decision-making, strategy, and action across all sectors of human endeavour. We use ‘speculative futures’: informed thought experiments based on imaginative scenarios to challenge our current thinking, envision possibilities, and signal what we can attend to now.

What’s it about?

Work and life decisions are increasingly based on AI-generated outputs or data analytics. Have you been delighted by Spotify’s perfect song choice, pushed harder after checking your daily steps, or disagreed with how a particular data dashboard depicts you, your interests, or activities? The ‘speculative futures’ scenarios help us explore: (1) how humans are positioned in algorithmic loops; (2) emerging ethical, political, economic, cultural, and social justice questions; and (3) articulate the work futures we would like.

Who’s leading the event?

Terrie Lynn Thompson and Diana Miranda, Sr Lecturers (University of Stirling); Sarah Grayston, Learning Technologies Manager (Queen Margaret University); and Kerry Abercrombie, Curriculum Development Officer: Digital Learning (Falkirk Council). Professionals from a range of sectors will also co-facilitate this event.

Open to

Professionals, leaders, and policy makers interested in AI-Data systems.

Of particular interest to

This event will be of interest to those employing AI-Data systems to help analyse, monitor, or evaluate and/or are simply curious about the ways in which they are ‘surveilled’ and ‘surveilling’ as workers and citizens. AI expertise is not required! Insightful robust discussions across sectors may also give participants a way to spark similar informed debate in their own contexts as activism, advocacy, or professional learning. A resource package will be available post-event to facilitate this engagement.

Scheduling information

Registration, meet & greet, and light refreshments from 15.30; online from 15.45. 

Event booking deadline

4 pm Friday 1 November 2024.  Book a place online here.

Event information 

The event is part of the Festival of Social Science, organised by the University of Stirling. See other events in the programme, running between 19 October and 7 November 2024.

It is supported by the Stirling Social Science Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) which promotes the social science research collaborations with partners and communities. UK-wide Festival of Social Science 2024 and was made possible thanks to funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), which is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Location

Iris Murdoch Building, University of Stirling and online, FK9 4NF