The Human Algorithm - Public encounters on artificial intelligence

"The Human Algorithm" is the new series of public encounters organised by L'ideatorio - USI, aimed at critically reflecting on advancements in artificial intelligence.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly making decisions that affect our lives, while robots are beginning to take on roles in workplaces and healthcare settings. Additionally, algorithms created by companies and research centres shape the content we see and the choices we make. These recent technological advancements bring forth unprecedented challenges that we must address as a society. What role do we want to assign to the algorithms that underpin the functioning of AI, and how do we want to reaffirm our specific human "algorithm" without rejecting technological innovation? The series of encounters offers several opportunities to reflect on these issues.

The programme of events is designed to complement the "Robot. Dagli automi all'intelligenza artificiale" exhibition, which can be visited at L'ideatorio in Cadro. This exhibition has been created in collaboration with the Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence (IDSIA USI-SUPSI) and the Espace des Inventions in Lausanne, with support from the Swiss National Science Foundation. Through workshops, meetings with experts, theatre, cinema and a training course, the exhibition invites people of all ages to explore robots and artificial intelligence, stimulating a more conscious understanding of how they work and critical reflection on the role we want to attribute to these technologies in our society.

The exhibition will open with the continuing education course "Artificial intelligence: resource or threat?" (three lectures starting on Wednesday, 21 January), followed by three encounters with experts from IDSIA accompanied by games and interactive challenges ("Robot Parkour", the first encounter, is scheduled for Saturday 31 January, during the opening of the exhibition at L'ideatorio in Cadro). On Wednesday, 4 February, in collaboration with Cinema Leventina in Airolo, there will be a screening of the new film "Wider than the sky" by Italian-Swiss director Valerio Jalongo, which explores the link between artificial intelligence and humanity, bringing art, science and emotions into dialogue. Teatro Foce will host the theatre performance "Adamo ed Etica", a grotesque and hilarious comedy that reflects on the use of artificial intelligence, curated by the Pop Economix collective (Tuesday, 24 February, 8:30 pm).

Finally, the workshop "L'IA senza veli" (AI Unveiled) involves young people and adults in a joint reflection on the capabilities and limitations of AI, to understand what we can reasonably expect from this technology and to assess together whether and what role we want to entrust it with in our lives (Saturday, 28 March at L'ideatorio in Cadro, in collaboration with LAC edu).

The complete programme with details and registration information is available at ideatorio.usi.ch/robot