Explore generative AI from its origins to today's tools and agents, and what the journey towards AGI could mean for our future.
Speakers
Usama Shahid
Ragini Upadhyay
Agenda
6:30pm - Talk by Usama Shahid and Ragini Upadhyay
7:15pm - Questions and answers with the Speakers
8:00pm - Event ends
Synopsis
Generative AI has moved from a specialist technology to something used by millions of people in just a few years. But how did we get here, where is the technology heading, and how seriously should we take predictions about Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)?
In this talk, Usama Shahid and Ragini Upadhyay will trace the development of AI from Alan Turing's early question, “Can machines think?”, through AI winters and the rise of deep learning, to the transformer breakthrough that helped enable today's generative AI systems.
The speakers will explore the current generative AI landscape, including leading models, open and closed approaches, multimodal AI, and how organisations are using these technologies. A short recorded demonstration will illustrate the difference between an AI system that responds to questions and an AI agent capable of completing tasks.
The talk will then look ahead to AGI and consider different perspectives on its development and potential timescales, alongside important issues including AI safety, regulation, jobs and skills, education, environmental impact, and the future of open and closed AI models.
Delegates will gain an understanding of:
- How generative AI has developed and the key milestones behind today's systems.
- The current AI landscape and the capabilities and limitations of generative AI.
- The difference between generative AI assistants and AI agents.
- What is meant by AGI and the different perspectives surrounding its development.
- Key considerations around AI safety, regulation, employment, education and environmental impact.
The session is suitable for anyone interested in AI, regardless of technical background.
About the speakers
Usama Shahid is a Senior AI/ML Instructor at Decoded, where he trains professionals and teams to build and use AI at work. He has taught more than 1,000 professionals and students, including delivering AI training for UK Civil Service teams and professionals from organisations such as Rolls-Royce, Barclays, Mastercard, Visa and the BBC. He previously lectured in AI and Data Science at the University of Gloucestershire.
Usama has worked with generative AI since its early development, building AI-powered systems and delivering AI automation projects for a range of organisations. He holds an MSc in Data Science, has published peer-reviewed research, and is an NVIDIA DLI Certified Instructor.
Ragini Upadhyay is a Lecturer in Computer Science at the University of Gloucestershire, where she teaches network security, cyber security, machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Before entering higher education, she spent four years in industry working as a Security Consultant and Senior Security Engineer. Her research focuses on applying machine learning to real-world challenges, including domain adaptation, bias and generalisation in AI vision systems and explainable machine learning. Her work combines practical cyber security experience with teaching and applied AI research.
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