Generative AI: Lessons from Dickens for the Information Age
Speaker: Duncan P Brumby – London, United KingdomTopic(s): Human Computer Interaction , Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Natural language processing , Society and the Computing Profession
Abstract
Generative AI is transforming how we work, learn, and create, offering significant opportunities while raising important ethical and practical challenges. In this timely lecture, Professor Duncan Brumby draws on Charles Dickens' depiction of industrialization during the Victorian era to help us understand the societal changes unfolding in today’s generative AI world. With expertise in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and a focus on relatable, real-world examples, this talk examines how generative AI challenges traditional ideas of creativity, skill, and human potential, reshaping education and work in the information age.
Structured into three concise parts, this lecture blends historical insight, cultural analysis, and practical strategies:
1. The Human Quest to Make Artificial Life – Trace humanity’s drive to create tools, from early hand-carved implements to today’s generative AI systems. Understand the tension between future fears, such as AI surpassing human intelligence, and present challenges like societal adaptation and the responsible use of resources to ensure AI tools are used wisely.
2. The Role of Generative AI in Education – Explore how generative AI tools are reshaping learning and skill development. From fostering critical thinking and preserving our uniquely human voice in creative work to addressing challenges like deepfakes and AI hallucinations, this section examines how education can adapt to an AI-infused world. Developing AI literacy—the ability to critically evaluate and verify AI-generated content—is essential for overcoming biases, preventing misuse, and managing the risks of fabricated information.
3. The Hype Machine and AI Winter – Examine the cultural and ethical implications of generative AI, including risks like over-reliance, bias, and superficiality. Consider the pressures to adopt AI without safeguards and the potential for disillusionment when expectations outpace reality. Reflect on the “speed trap” of generating content too quickly without adequate review and learn strategies to amplify creativity and insights while fostering a balanced, sustainable approach to AI adoption.
Through real-world examples—such as generative AI as a writing collaborator and advancements in driver-assistance technologies—this lecture explains how AI tools can amplify creativity, deepen engagement, and preserve the human skill when thoughtfully applied.
Timely, accessible, and grounded in actionable insights, this talk equips audiences to critically engage with AI’s profound implications for creativity, education, and the future of work.
Watch a sample of the lecture online: Generative AI: Lessons from Dickens for the Information Age (https://youtu.be/SA4uEF0ZFYI).
About this Lecture
Number of Slides: 115Duration: ~60 minutes
Languages Available: English
Last Updated:
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