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The UM in the Gala of Science

On November 26, the magazine New Scientist is organizing the eighth edition of the Gala of Science with the theme: artificial intelligence (AI) and big data. For the first time, the entire program will be broadcast via a live stream: despite corona, the organizers find the event “too important not to take place”. In this edition, Maastricht University (UM) has a nice line-up, with Rianne Letschert, Rector Magnificus at UM, in the lead, together with Sally Wyatt, professor of Digital Cultures, and Katleen Gabriëls, assistant professor of computer ethics and AI ethics, as speakers.

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From left to right: Rianne Letschert, Sally Wyatt, Katleen Gabriëls.

About the Gala

During the Gala of Science on November 26, 2020, we will dive into the world of data and algorithms. Artificial intelligence and big data are intertwined in our society and can no longer be ignored in our daily life. For example, surgeons operate with the help of robots and crowd control is taking place using cameras and computers. Artificial intelligence and big data will provide great benefits for our society, but there are also major concerns. For example, what happens with all this data and what about our privacy?

That is the theme of the eighth edition of the Gala of Science. Jim Jansen, editor-in-chief of the New Scientist, will present the evening. “The gala gives a bird's eye view of the Dutch sciences,” he explains. Do not expect complicated lectures, but an easy-to-follow performance that will keep you informed of the latest discoveries by leading scientists.

About the speakers

This year, UM is well-represented in the impressive line-up. Rianne Letschert, Rector Magnificus at UM, has a leading role this year as the curator of the Gala. She was also involved in putting together this years’ program. Letschert: “It is beyond dispute that AI will fundamentally and permanently influence our future. Let us therefore ensure that the digital divide does not widen”.

Sally Wyatt and Katleen Gabriëls from FASOS will also be present as speakers. Sally Wyatt is professor of Digital Cultures at UM. She currently focuses on the role digital media plays in acquiring knowledge and the ways in which people use the internet for information about health.

Katleen Gabriëls is a moral philosopher specializing in computer ethics and AI ethics. She works as an assistant professor at UM. Since August 2020, she is program director of the bachelor Digital Society.

More information?

For more information, the complete line-up, and tickets, go to www.galavandewetenschap.nl.

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