Taming the Algorithm: Can we keep AI from eating us alive?

The Instituto Cervantes is the world's largest and most important institution dedicated to the teaching of Spanish and the other languages of Spain, as well as to the diffusion of the culture of Spanish-speaking countries.The Instituto Cervantes of Leeds was inaugurated on April 23rd, 1993. Therefore, in 2018 we are celebrating our 25th anniversary. A quarter of a century collaborating actively in the teaching of Spanish and the spreading of the Hispanic culture.

Instituto Cervantes Leeds

Join us for a dialogue on the growing influence of artificial intelligence in our lives.

Rupert Beckett Lecture Theatre

The Instituto Cervantes, in cooperation with the University of Leeds, presents the talk:“Taming the Algorithm: Can We Keep AI From Eating Us Alive?”Featuring CSIC researcher Jesús Cerquides and moderated by Professor Antonio Martínez-Arboleda, Senior Lead of the Knowledge Equity Network (KEN) and Academic Lead for Open Educational Practice at the University of Leeds.Artificial Intelligence is no longer a distant promise — it’s embedded in our phones, classrooms, hospitals, and headlines. It helps us work faster and think bigger, but it also blurs lines between fact and fiction, amplifies bias, and concentrates power in ways that could undermine the very foundations of democratic society.This talk takes a critical (and occasionally irreverent) look at how AI is reshaping our world, what ethical lines we risk crossing, and why “just because we can” isn’t always a good enough reason. No easy answers — but plenty of reasons to stay vigilant.<h3>Meet the Speakers:</h3>Jesús Cerquides is a researcher at the Artificial Intelligence Research Institute (IIIA) of the Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) and advisor on disinformation at the Spanish Prime Minister's Cabinet. His previous positions include an assistant professorship at the University of Barcelona and the University Pablo Olavide, Chief Technology Officer and member of the board at Intelligent Software Components S.A., and Associate Director at Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS AG). His research interests include probabilistic and causal machine learning, multi-agent systems, democratic and AI-enhanced citizen science, and AI-based solutions for disinformation. He serves regularly as area chair in major AI conferences such as ECAI, IJCAI, and AAAI. He is currently an associate editor of the Artificial Intelligence Journal.Antonio Martínez-Arboleda is Professor of Open and Digital Education, Senior Lead of the Knowledge Equity Network (KEN), and leads the Digital and Open Education Incubator at LITE (Leeds Institute for Teaching Excellence). A Law graduate with a Masters in Business Law, he has extensive experience in Open Educational Resources (OER), language learning, and poetry. He directs international projects and gives talks on Generative AI, Open Knowledge, and Critical Pedagogies, areas in which he also publishes. He is a member of the experts group on digital education for sustainability of UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe).This event will take place in the Michael Sadler Building in the Rupert Beckett Lecture Theatre.

El Instituto Cervantes, en colaboración con la Universidad de Leeds, presenta la charla:“Taming the Algorithm: Can We Keep AI From Eating Us Alive?”Con la participación del investigador del CSIC, Jesús Cerquides, y moderada por el Profesor Antonio Martínez-Arboleda, Senior Lead de la Knowledge Equity Network (KEN) y Academic Lead for Open Educational Practice en la Universidad de Leeds.La Inteligencia Artificial ya no es una promesa lejana; está integrada en nuestros teléfonos, aulas, hospitales y titulares. Nos ayuda a trabajar más rápido y a pensar en grande, pero también difumina las líneas entre la verdad y la ficción, amplifica los prejuicios y concentra el poder de manera que podría socavar los cimientos mismos de la sociedad democrática.Esta charla realiza una reflexión crítica (y ocasionalmente irreverente) sobre cómo la IA está remodelando nuestro mundo, qué límites éticos corremos el riesgo de cruzar y por qué "simplemente porque podamos" no siempre es una razón válida. No hay respuestas fáciles, pero sí muchas razones para mantenernos vigilantes.<h3>Conoce a los ponentes:</h3>Jesús Cerquides es investigador en el Instituto de Investigación en Inteligencia Artificial (IIIA) del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) y asesor sobre desinformación en el Gabinete del Presidente del Gobierno de España. Entre sus cargos anteriores se incluyen la docencia en la Universidad de Barcelona y la Universidad Pablo Olavide, Director de Tecnología y miembro de la junta de Intelligent Software Components S.A., y Director Asociado en Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS AG). Sus áreas de investigación incluyen el aprendizaje automático probabilístico y causal, los sistemas multiagentes, la ciencia ciudadana mejorada por IA y soluciones basadas en IA para la desinformación. Es presidente de áreas en conferencias internacionales sobre IA, como ECAI, IJCAI y AAAI, y editor asociado de la Artificial Intelligence Journal.Antonio Martínez-Arboleda es Catedrático de Educación Abierta y Digital, Líder Senior de KEN (Knowledge Equity Network) y dirige la Incubadora de Educación Digital y Abierta de LITE (Leeds Institute for Teaching Excellence). Licenciado en Derecho y con un máster en Derecho Empresarial, tiene amplia experiencia en los Recursos Educativos Abiertos (REA), en el aprendizaje de lengua y poesía. Lidera proyectos internacionales, y ofrece conferencias sobre Inteligencia Artificial Generativa, Conocimiento Abierto y Pedagogías Críticas, temas sobre los que también publica. Es miembro del grupo de expertos en educación digital para la sostenibilidad de UNECE (Comisión Económica de las Naciones Unidas para Europa).Este evento tendrá lugar en el Michael Sadler Building, en el Ruper Beckett Lecture Theatre.

Want to learn Spanish?We offer face-to-face and online Spanish courses accross different levels, days and times.Visit our website for more information about our <a href="https://leeds.cervantes.es/imagenes/spanish_autumn_courses_2025.pdf" title="https://leeds.cervantes.es/imagenes/spanish_autumn_courses_2025.pdf" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Spanish Autumn Courses 2025</a>

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Taming the Algorithm: Can we keep AI from eating us alive?

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