WiredLIVE 2018

Think Piece was fortunate to attend WiredLIVE at the Tate Modern on Thursday 1st November. Understanding the risks around AI, and the impacts of digitization and technology on society at large. Whether that is for good or bad, both sides of the arguments were discussed at length. 

This year the agenda was streamlined to one day which in many ways helped, as it allowed the theme to weave throughout both the talks but also the networking conversations and showcases. 

Of particular highlight was: 

• Jim Al-Khalili on the future of science and the impact quantum developments have on unlocking many of the mysteries of how the universe works at the nano-level. 
• Andy Serkis on storytelling in the age of digital manipulation, and that whilst the technologies might have developed, we are still entertaining in a very familiar way.
• Angela Saini spoke with passion on the women that have been left out of the history of science and that its time to reset the past.
• Martha Lane Fox talked about the new normal, the advances in the digital landscape, big data and the growth of AI and how it brings both risks but also huge amounts of opportunity.
• Dr Hannah Fry gave a talk on how mathematics and data are sometimes misunderstood when applied to AI and the pitfalls companies can fall into. 
• Bill Powder gave a powerful account of taking on Putin and his trail of money laundering activities which resulted in one of Powder's employees being murdered in jail. 
• On a lighter (darker) note, Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones were interviewed about the new series of Black Mirror and how the series has developed over time and making the move from Channel 4 to NetFlix.