UA Science Lecture Series: 'Humans, Data and Machines'

When: February 26, 2018 7:00pm

The UA College of Science presents the final lecture of six free lectures at Centennial Hall on "Humans, Data and Machines." In our automated lives, we generate and interact with unprecedented amounts of data. This sea of information is constantly searched, catalogued, analyzed and referenced by machines with the ability to uncover patterns unseen by their human creators. These new insights have far reaching implications for our society. From our everyday presence online, to scientists sequencing billions of genes or cataloging billions of stars, to cars that drive themselves – this series we explore how the confluence of humans, data and machines extends beyond science – raising new philosophical and ethical questions.

Vincent Del Casino, UA professor of geography and development, in his lecture "There Is No Such Thing as Big Data," will challenge the notion that "big data" are what people believe they are – large, singular inanimate manifestations of our proxy selves – and argues that there is no "big data" really, just millions of small bits and pieces brought together through a series of algorithmic possibilities. But, big data analytics and the robotic futures that they engender are clearly producing anxieties for everyday social life and institutions have to manage these anxieties as they rethink themselves in relation to big data analytics and their concomitant robotic futures. As a result, institutions like the UA have to double-down on investments in a broad education by asking how big data are represented in society, how human life is being organized in relation to big data, and how an interdisciplinary future can help manage the rapid changes produced by advances in robots and robotic technologies.

Parking is available on a pay-per-use basis in the Tyndall Avenue Garage.


Audience: All
Audience size: Very Large (501+)

Where

Campus: Main Campus

Address

Contact info & links

Contacts

Camille Celaya College of Science

Requests for disability-related accommodations should be directed to the event's primary contact: Camille Celaya