Skip to content
MeetupIn personPast event

AI: Minds, Machines, and the Future

Explore the topics

Event artwork for AI: Minds, Machines, and the Future

This event has ended

This listing is kept as an archive. Explore upcoming events to find your next one.

See upcoming events in Birmingham
About this event

What to expect

What does it mean for a machine to think? This in-person lecture at Birmingham's historic Birmingham & Midland Institute tackles one of our era's most profound questions. Led by philosopher-in-residence and cognitive scientist Br. Piran-María, this 60-minute session journeys from Asimov's fictional robots to today's cutting-edge AI systems, examining what artificial intelligence truly is—and what it isn't.

What You'll Explore

Through a philosophical lens that's both rigorous and accessible, you'll trace AI's evolution from speculative fiction to reality-shaping technology. The lecture examines the fundamental questions that AI raises about consciousness, intelligence, and what it means to be alive. You'll discover the reality behind today's AI hype, understand the historical context that shaped current systems, and grapple with the ethical dimensions of increasingly powerful machine intelligence.

This isn't a technical coding workshop—it's a thoughtful exploration designed for anyone curious about how AI is reshaping society. Whether you're building AI applications yourself, working in fields affected by automation, or simply want to understand the technology dominating headlines, this lecture provides crucial context and critical thinking frameworks.

Who Should Attend

This session welcomes curious minds from all backgrounds—no technical expertise required. It's particularly valuable for professionals navigating AI's impact on their industries, students interested in philosophy or cognitive science, and anyone seeking to understand the profound questions raised by machine intelligence. The playful yet philosophical approach makes complex concepts accessible without dumbing them down.

Br. Piran-María brings expertise in both philosophy and cognitive science, offering insights that bridge abstract theory with practical implications. The Birmingham & Midland Institute has hosted intellectual discourse for over 180 years, providing an ideal setting for this exploration of humanity's relationship with intelligent machines.

The lecture takes place at the Institute's Margaret Street location in Birmingham's city centre, easily accessible by public transport, and runs from 1:00-2:00 PM—perfect for a lunch break or afternoon learning session.

Register for this event

Create With Conference · Brighton

The UK's leading event for AI builders.

600+ builders, honest implementation stories and hands-on workshops, once a year. The next edition is being planned.

The main stage at Create With 2026 with a full room
Hackathon participants with their laptops
A panel on the main stage

Running an AI event in Birmingham?

List it here, free.

Meetups, workshops and conferences go in front of thousands of builders after a quick review.

List your event