Let’s Train an AI

13 August 2021 (Hobart)
14 August 2021 (Launceston)

How does AI really work? Is AI going to take over the world and destroy us all? What’s an “AI” really?

This interactive session for the young, and the young-at-heart will answer these questions, and more. Bring your family and friends, and learn how we build an AI, step by step.

On our journey we’ll find out what it means to be intelligent, how an AI perceives the world, what actions it can take, and how it decides what to do. Is it intelligent? Or a simulation?

Using video game technology, we’ll build an AI live on stage, together with the audience, and find out just how intelligent computers can be. (Did we mention it’ll be live, on stage?)

This event will help solidify the possibilities of a career in STEM, and help to illuminate how the future of AI requires a clever combination of ethics, maths, computer science, video games, and engineering.

Presenters

  • Dr Paris Buttfield-Addison — Game Developer at Secret Lab

  • Mars Buttfield-Addison — Researcher at CSIRO/Data61 and UTAS

  • Dr Jon Manning — Game Developer at Secret Lab

  • Dr Tim Nugent — Game Developer at lonely.coffee

Details

This session will be run live twice:

Hobart Event Location (click for larger)

  • in Hobart, at the University of Tasmania in Sandy Bay

    • Friday, 13 August 2021

    • 5PM to 6:30PM

    • Engineering, Lecture Theatre 1, Sandy Bay Campus

Launceston Event Location (click for larger)

  • in Launceston, at the University of Tasmania in Launceston

    • Saturday, 14 August 2021

    • 5PM to 6:30PM

    • Arts Building, Lecture Theatre 9, Newnham Campus

The event is free to attend, but you must register (below).

Registration

This live event is free, but registration is essential for numbers and COVID-19 safety reasons. Please register for the event closest to you below.

We won’t keep your details after the event, and we’ll only use them to update you on this event.

Children are welcome, and the content will be suitable for all ages.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email — this may take a week or two to arrive. If the event you chose is at capacity, we will let you know and keep you on a wait list.

Please let us know, via replying to the confirmation email, if you will not be able to make it as we can give your spot(s) to someone else.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the event suitable for children?

Yes, the event is suitable for children. We recommended 10 years old and above, but use your judgement. If they’re playing Minecraft or similar, they’ll understand this session.

My kids love Minecraft and/or Roblox, will they enjoy this?

Yes, this is a great session for kids who have an interest in technology to go beyond the basics.

Is there a Facebook event?

Yes, for Hobart and Launceston. But please register on this page as well. This website is the only official, formal registration.

Are there any content warnings to consider?

We do use imagery that resembles spiders, so please act accordingly if this concerns you. The session will provide warnings before displaying spider-like imagery.

Do I need to bring anything?

No, just your enthusiasm for technology!

If I register now and then cannot make it, what should I do?

Please reply to the confirmation email you’ll receive after registering.

Will the event be recorded?

Yes, the event will be captured and made available freely on YouTube. Imagery of audience members will not be captured. Audience members may be be heard via microphones in the recording.

Where at the University of Tasmania will the event be held?

The specific location at each UTAS campus will be added to this page (and emailed to all registered attendees) closer to the event.

Other questions or comments?
Feel free to email us at scienceweek AT secretlab.com.au