Awesome to have wrapped up the second AI & Society — Brisbane event in February 2025 after our launch in January 2025!
Thanks to the amazing community of curious humans for your presence, energy, optimism, feedback and of course challenges!
The philosopher Søren Kierkegaard’s notion that true freedom comes from making choices based on our own will, while acknowledging our interdependence with a larger reality, feels particularly relevant today.
Freedom requires courage and imagination.
With the overwhelming pace of developments in AI, sometimes we can feel paralyzed. I love reflecting on Maria Miesenberger’s Leap of Faith sculpture in Stockholm’s school of economics that encourages us to take the leap. A powerful metaphor for this moment.
Taking a leap is about doing something even though you are not certain whether you will succeed or not. It’s about taking on challenges and risks, trusting yourself and others.
January
We kicked off with a social networking event at the Pig N Whistle. Everyone shared their background, interest in AI and what they are hoping to get out of this group.
February
This month’s AI & Society — Brisbane event was great chance to touch the surface of the discussions needed on how AI will reshape our lives, our communities, and our society.
Thank you to Marco Suarez who shared his thoughts from a ‘user perspective’, and of course everyone for the conversation, questions, feedback and ideas.
Some takeaways
- Marco reminded us that each user’s perspective is unique.
- In an era of overwhelming information and constant change, the path forward isn’t through paralysis but through action – get your hands dirty and engage directly with the challenges ahead.
- We must actively shape this future rather than passively accept it.
- Ensuring AI development aligns with human ethics and values remains one of our greatest challenges. Our community emphasized the importance of maintaining human-centric development.
Further reading
- Dario Amodei’s recent Davos talk on AI’s future
- Investigating the implications of AGI
- Experimenting with tools like Google AI Studio.
- Follow the Queensland AI Hub for their events.
Looking Forward
AI transcends mere technology; it’s transforming our existence, work, connections, communities and societies.
- Human Agency vs. AGI: How can we preserve meaningful human choice in an AGI-driven world?
- Social Structures: What frameworks must we establish?
- Value Alignment: How do we ensure AI/AGI development supports human ethics?
- Community Role: What part do our cities and communities play in this future?
Come along!
In this transformative era, the path forward isn’t about having all the answers – it’s about embracing curiosity and taking action.
While AI and society’s intersection offers endless depths to explore, the steps we can take are refreshingly simple: dive into new technologies, learn by doing, and connect with other curious minds along the way.
If you care about shaping how AI impacts our lives (and honestly, who doesn’t?), come join us! After all, the best way to be part of this change is to stay curious and connected.
Looking forward to the next one. Visit the Meetup.com page to register.
AI & Society 