Asteroids, Aliens and Artificial lntelligence: the World of Existential Risk

This is a member only event, specifically for members of the Eastern Counties Branch of The Welding Institute. Other members may be able to attend should spaces become available.

Overview: Existential risks relate to hazards with the potential to extinguish intelligent life on Earth. No longer relegated to the domain of apocalyptic visions in art and literature, existential risk is now a specific field of scientific and academic study. Throughout the course of human history, existential risk has increased, particularly in the 20th Century, with the advent of anthropogenic hazards little dreamt of in previous eras. This lecture will consider the various manifestations of existential risk, addressing both the technical and moral aspects of their mitigation.

Speaker: Lieutenant Commander John S Ash BA MPhil PhD Royal Navy (ret.) 

Speaker Biography: Dr John Ash has spent much of his career addressing problems in risk management. The early part of his military experience was gained in the Royal Air Force, as a Fighter Control officer working with RADAR and high performance aircraft and he spent  the latter part of his service career in the Royal Navy as an oceanographer and submariner involved in the collection of data in the Arctic Ocean to support the study of thinning in the polar ice pack. In 1998 he retired from the forces and read for a doctorate, examining environmental risk management associated with oil development in the Arctic littoral. John is an Associate of the Scott Polar Research Institute and an Associate Professor at UiT, Norway’s Arctic University.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD): Attending this event supports your professional development.  You can claim 2 CPD points per hour for this event.  As a member of the Welding Institute you can record your CPD activity online from your membership portal.

Additional Information:

• Registration for this event will close 24 hours before the event starts.
• Live event only