Profs & Pints Nashville: Shaping the Reality of Artificial Intelligence

Profs and Pints Nashville presents: “Shaping the Reality of Artificial Intelligence,” an exploration of profound questions raised by AI and our efforts to harness it, with Professor Daniel Gervais of Vanderbilt Law School, leading expert on AI law and policy and the author of the Coexistence Trilogy, a work of legal science fiction.

An unparalleled revolution is unfolding right before our eyes as the digital intellect of AI shoulders cognitive tasks that long have been the dominion of humanity. Machines adorned with grand names like ChatGPT, Dall-E, and Sora are demonstrating prowess that eclipses human capability, transforming AI from a distant dream and the stuff of science fiction into an architect of our reality and a burgeoning economic titan. AI is diagnosing diseases, coming up with life-saving drugs, composing new music and film storylines, and even making weighty decisions related to the path and speed of automobiles and the conduct of armed conflict.

As we stand at this precipice looking out to the digital horizon there are many profound questions we’ve yet to decide. Should we be focused on harnessing AI's potential or, instead, on guarding against its unchecked ascendancy? Who shall reign in the quest to surpass human intellect, and upon what ethical foundation? Where does the law fit into this brave new world, and can rules created by humans for humans be counted on to govern silicon minds that navigate a different existence?

In a world led by AI, what will being human actually mean? What roles should be considered inherently human and reserved for living people with touch and intuition? What will be humanity’s legacy and purpose?

Come to Nashville’s Fait La Force taproom to hear such questions tackled by Daniel Gervais, an expert on law dealing with artificial intelligence and intellectual property who has held posts advising the World Trade Organization and other international bodies on such subjects.

You’ll emerge with a more sophisticated understanding of what AI means for our future, appreciative of the knowledge, wisdom, and insights offered by a real human in a setting with great pizza and beer. (Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.)