Changemaker Speaker Series: Dan Riskin

Purchase your ticket to How to Thrive in the Brave New World of Artificial Intelligence with Dan Riskin.

The magnitude of change we're seeing with artificial intelligence feels unprecedented-but Dan Riskin will tell you that it's not. For billions of years, biological systems have faced their own trials of uncertainty and change, many of which echo the patterns we're seeing today. As a result, Mother Nature has evolved ways not just to survive change, but to thrive in it-and if we pay attention, there's a lot we can learn.

Royal Roads University's Changemakers Speakers Series kicks off its 2026 season on March 12 at the Victoria Conference Centre with renowned evolutionary biologist, award-winning television presenter, and bestselling author, Dan Riskin exploring: How to Thrive in the Brave New World of Artificial Intelligence.

Whether we realize it or not, AI is an ever-present entity in our lives. Smartphones and computers come with a built-in AI tool in the form of a "digital assistant," like Siri or Cortana. Google provides an "AI Overview" at the top of Google search results, pulling information from across the web to give a brief answer to your search query.

AI-generated images and videos can be found on social media platforms, websites, television programs, films and advertisements. Workplaces are looking at how AI tools can be used to expedite tasks, increase productivity and create efficiencies in their systems.

It's unlikely anyone will be able to avoid the age of AI.

So, if we can't beat AI, how do we learn to work with it effectively?

In Riskin's perspective-shifting talk, he will use his extensive knowledge of biology and evolution to provide a roadmap of what to expect from the future of AI. By understanding the predictable milestones that emerge from evolution, and using them to guide your AI strategy, you can seize the power of evolutionary change to come out ahead.

Purchase your ticket to How to Thrive in the Brave New World of Artificial Intelligence with Dan Riskin.