Our Sci-Fi Future

Imagine a future where we plug our brains into a virtual reality that’s so convincing we can’t distinguish it from the real thing. Or think of a world where artificial intelligence (AI) has given rise to sentient machines, or where humans live longer and healthier lives thanks to genetic engineering and cloning. These are common themes in science fiction, but could they soon be science fact? And would we welcome these changes, or would we fight the future?

Come and discover how much fact there is in popular sci-fi with three leading experts. After a few film clips help set the scene, you can quiz the experts to find out which route science could take us down first.

Anders Sandberg, a neuroscientist from the Future of Humanity Institute at the University of Oxford, will be on hand to discuss technology and the mind, such as brain–computer interfaces and memory modification. Max Bramer, an AI expert from the University of Portsmouth and the British Computer Society, will be here to chat about artificial intelligence. And Ray Noble, an expert on reproductive ethics from University College London, will answer questions on the future of human genetic engineering and cloning.

You can also discover just how far we’ve come already, courtesy of a stunning object from the Science Museum’s NEURObotics… the future of thinking? exhibition, a cloning timeline and interaction with one of the web’s leading AI ‘chatbots’.

The future may be closer than you think…

Event organised by:
The Science Museum

Speakers

Anders Sandberg, neuroscientist, Future of Humanity Institute at the University of Oxford
Max Bramer, AI expert, University of Portsmouth and British Computer Society
Ray Noble, expert on reproductive ethics, University College London
Facilitator: Matthew Sommerich, Science Museum