This event is presented by the Department of Computer Science and the Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society.
When and Where
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
3:10 to 5:10 p.m.
Bahen Centre for Information Technology, Room 3200
Presenter
Ronald Baecker, Professor Emeritus, Department of Computer Science
Description
The University of Toronto Department of Computer Science and the Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society invite you to join Professor Emeritus Ronald Baecker as he delves into his latest book, Digital Dreams Have Become Nightmares: What We Must Do.
An internationally recognized innovator, author, speaker, teacher and mentor, Professor Emeritus Ronald Baecker co-founded the Dynamic Graphics Project (DGP) and founded the Knowledge Media Design Institute (KMDI) and the Technologies for Aging Gracefully lab (TAGlab).
In this talk, Baecker will give a broad overview of the progress made in digital technologies over the last 80 years and the challenges that have arisen by bad actors subverting the creation of digital systems for ill-advised uses, such as hate speech and disinformation, and adverse effects including industry disruption, abuse of market dominance, mental distress, loss of privacy, and poor security and safety. He will focus especially on artificial intelligence, a technology of great potential for human betterment that may be negated by harms that arise when it is deployed before it is reliable and safe. Baecker’s talk will pivot to a positive call to action by exploring how digital technology students and professionals can help steer computer applications towards the service of good.
Schedule
3:10 to 3:15 p.m. Introductory Remarks
Remarks by Daniel Wigdor, Professor, Department of Computer Science
3:15 to 3:55 pm: Book Talk
Presented by Ronald Baecker, Professor Emeritus, Department of Computer Science
3:55 to 4:25 pm: Q&A Session
Moderated by Rohan Alexander, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Information and Department of Statistical Sciences
4:25 to 5:10 pm: Reception
Following the discussions, a reception with refreshments will be held in BA 3200 where Ronald Baecker will be signing copies of Digital Dreams Have Become Nightmares: What We Must Do.
About the Book
This book offers a compelling discussion of the digital dreams that have come true, their often unintended side effects (nightmares), and what must be done to counteract the nightmares. It is intended as an impetus to further conversation not only in homes and workplaces, but in academic courses and even legislative debates. Equally importantly, the book is a presentation of what digital technology professionals need to know about these topics and the actions they should undertake individually and in support of other citizens, societal initiatives, and government.
The author begins by introducing the amazing progress made in digital technologies over the past 80 years. Pioneering engineers dreamed of potential uses of technology through their writing and technical achievements, further inspiring thousands of researchers to bring the dreams to life, and to dream new dreams as well. The second part of the book describes the myriad adverse side effects and unanticipated challenges that arose as those dreams were pursued and achieved. Examples include rampant misinformation on social media, ransomware, autonomous weapons, and the premature use of AI before it is reliable and safe.
The book closes with a positive call to action, outlining ways to address the challenges through ethical career choices, careful analysis, thoughtful design, research, citizen engagement, legislation/regulation, and careful consideration of how bad actors may use technology. Readers of Digital Dreams Have Become Nightmares should become more knowledgeable, wiser, and also cautiously optimistic, determined to affect positive changes through their design, creation, and use of technology.