In Person and Online. Max is 40 for the space.

Title: Data Intensifies: AI in Star Trek"

Prepare to set phasers to "fascinate" as we boldly go into the Star Trek universe's portrayal of Artificial Intelligence. This talk explores the curious case of Data, the lovable android with a heart of gold—if only he had one!—and his quest to understand humanity, all while caring for his pet cat Spot, proving that even androids have a soft spot for furry friends. From "the needs of the many" to the philosophical dilemmas of sentient machines, Star Trek serves up a smorgasbord of ethical quandaries and cosmic conundrums.

For university students navigating the final frontiers of their education, these themes are more relevant than ever. As AI evolves from science fiction to science fact, we're faced with questions straight out of a Starfleet briefing: Can we trust machines with more than our coffee orders? How do we handle AI that might one day ask for shore leave—or a litter box? This talk will beam you up to the cutting edge of current AI issues, like bias and transparency, while also pondering the deep-space future of AI: Can a machine ever truly "engage" in human emotions? What are the limits of a silicon soul?

So grab your tricorders and join us on this interstellar journey, as we use Star Trek's speculative fiction to navigate the complex cosmos of AI. This talk promises not only to enlighten but also to provide a few chuckles along the way. After all, in the vast universe of possibilities, why not live long and prosper with a smile—and maybe a purr from Spot?