Facial recognition technology, artificial intelligence, use of drones and QR codes… They are all an accepted part of life, but are we aware of the unseen...

Big Brother is Watching

Location:

The Great Hall, Level 5, Tower Building
2007 NSW
Australia

Venue:
Vivid Ideas Exchange - UTS, The Great Hall
Big Brother is Watching
Big Brother is Watching

Featuring

Toby Walsh

Toby Walsh

Toby Walsh is an ARC Laureate Fellow and Scientia Professor of AI at UNSW and CSIRO Data61, and adjunct professor at QUT. He is a strong advocate for limits to ensure AI is used to improve our lives, having spoken at the UN, and to heads of state, parliamentary bodies, company boards and many other bodies on this topic. He is a Fellow of the Australia Academy of Science, and was named on the international "Who's Who in AI" list of influencers. He has authored three books on AI for a general audience, the most recent entitled "Machines Behaving Badly: the morality of AI".

Yaara Bou Melhem

Yaara Bou Melhem

Yaara Bou Melhem is a journalist and documentary filmmaker whose work has received two UN Media Peace Awards and five Walkley Awards. Her work has often focused on environmental and human rights issues. Yaara’s recent documentary feature, ‘Unseen Skies’ interrogates the dangers of artificial intelligence through the eyes of artist Trevor Paglen. It screened in competition at the 2021 Sydney Film Festival and San Francisco International Film Festival. Yaara is currently directing a series for ABC Arts and is one of two inaugural journalists-in-residence at the Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism & Ideas where she is developing her next documentary feature.

Ed Santow

Ed Santow

Edward Santow is Industry Professor - Responsible Technology at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).

Ed leads UTS's new initiative on building Australia's capability on ethical artificial intelligence. Ed’s areas of expertise include human rights, technology and regulation, public law and discrimination law. 

From 2016-2021, Ed was Australia's Human Rights Commissioner, where he led the Commission's work on AI and new technology; refugees and migration; human rights issues affecting LGBTI people; national security; and implementing the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT).

Ed is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law, a Visiting Professorial Fellow at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Human Rights and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and serves on a number of boards and committees.

Dr Simon Longstaff AO

Dr Simon Longstaff AO

Dr Simon Longstaff has been Executive Director of The Ethics Centre for 30 years, working across business, government and society. He has a PhD in philosophy from Cambridge University, is a Fellow of CPA Australia and of the Royal Society of NSW, and an Honorary Professor at ANU National Centre for Indigenous Studies. Simon was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2013.

Access and Inclusion

  • Auslan Interpreted - Auslan interpreted events are for audiences who are Deaf and use Australian Sign Language (Auslan) as their primary means of communication. Experienced Auslan theatre interpreters stand to the side of the stage and translate what the speakers are saying or Auslan signing the text and dialogue live. Audiences requiring this service are seated in the section closest to the interpreter to ensure good sightlines.
  • Companion Card Acceptance - The Companion Card is for people with a significant permanent disability, who always need a companion to provide attendant care type support in order to participate at most available community venues and activities.
  • Hearing Loop - A hearing loop (sometimes called an audio induction loop) is a special type of sound system for use by people with hearing aids. The hearing loop provides a magnetic, wireless signal that is picked up by the hearing aid when it is set to 'T' (Telecoil) setting. Many venues have an induction hearing loop system. Check if your venue has this system.
  • Wheelchair Accessible - Access to the venue is suitable for wheelchairs (toilets, ramps/lifts etc.) and designated wheelchair spaces are available.

Event Details

Facial recognition technology, artificial intelligence, use of drones and QR codes… They are all an accepted part of life, but are we aware of the unseen forces shaping society?

Join leading experts as they examine the ethical issues we face in a future dominated by artificial intelligence (AI). If we want the future of AI to be a force for good, it’s time to ask questions such as: can robots have rights; what if a self-driving car kills someone; and, is Australia at risk of becoming a surveillance state?

Toby Walsh is one of the world’s leading researchers in AI. His latest book Machines Behaving Badly explores the morality of AI. Toby is Scientia Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the University of New South Wales and a rock star in the world of AI – regularly named on ‘Who’s Who in AI’ lists of influencers.

Edward Santow is striving to establish a model law to prohibit harmful use of Facial Recognition Technology (FRT). Did you know FRT has high rates of error in identifying people with dark skin, women and people with a physical disability? And that it is being used to assess people’s moods, attractiveness and other characteristics? From 2016-2021, Ed was Australia’s Human Rights Commissioner. He now leads this project as University of Technology Sydney’s Industry Professor for Responsible Technology.

Yaara Bou Melhem is a renowned journalist and the director of Unseen Skies, a documentary produced by In Films, following artist Trevor Paglen’s exploration of mass surveillance. Yaara also created the award-winning short War on Truth – which followed Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and digital rights pioneer Maria Ressa and her global campaign against disinformation.

The Ethics Centre Director Dr Simon Longstaff will help to steer this conversation through thought provoking and tricky waters.

Experience Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) first hand at Face Value, an interactive installation that highlights the uses and risks of FRT. Experience current or near future uses of the tech and test its accuracy for yourself – are you willing to accept it?

Presented by Vivid Ideas in association with University of Technology Sydney.

Unseen Skies, directed by Yaara Bou Melhem, further examines the use of surveillance systems in our skies. Book here for a special screening of the film on Sunday 5 June here.

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Access and Inclusion

  • Auslan Interpreted - Auslan interpreted events are for audiences who are Deaf and use Australian Sign Language (Auslan) as their primary means of communication. Experienced Auslan theatre interpreters stand to the side of the stage and translate what the speakers are saying or Auslan signing the text and dialogue live. Audiences requiring this service are seated in the section closest to the interpreter to ensure good sightlines.
  • Companion Card Acceptance - The Companion Card is for people with a significant permanent disability, who always need a companion to provide attendant care type support in order to participate at most available community venues and activities.
  • Hearing Loop - A hearing loop (sometimes called an audio induction loop) is a special type of sound system for use by people with hearing aids. The hearing loop provides a magnetic, wireless signal that is picked up by the hearing aid when it is set to 'T' (Telecoil) setting. Many venues have an induction hearing loop system. Check if your venue has this system.
  • Wheelchair Accessible - Access to the venue is suitable for wheelchairs (toilets, ramps/lifts etc.) and designated wheelchair spaces are available.

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