Demystifying AI with Dr. Ruth Stalker-Firth
- Ages 17+
Should we fear AI? Should we embrace it? Perhaps both? PubSci examines the surprisingly long history of AI and lays to rest a few myths.
Date and time
Location
The Old King's Head
King's Head Yard Off Borough High Street London SE1 1NA United KingdomRefund Policy
Agenda
6:30 PM
Doors open to the public
7:00 PM
Event begins
8:00 PM
Break
8:30 PM
Q&A
9:00 PM
Event ends
9:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Optional socialising
About this event
- Event lasts 2 hours
- Ages 17+
- No venue parking
The news is full of scare stories about how AI might become self-aware, turn on humanity and take over the world... So, should we be afraid? Will we all be out of a job? Is The Terminator's Skynet about to become a reality? PubSci is here to bring you the facts.
On Wednesday 20th August, Dr Ruth Stalker Firth shares insights from her three decades of involvement with AI to give us the solid grounding we so urgently need if we are to make informed decisions.
Looking behind the headlines and cutting through 'tech bro' braggadocio, Ruth traces the recurring rise and fall of AI and examines what the ghost in the machine really means. From Ancient Greek robots to ChatGPT’s deep learning, we'll look at how and why AI was created, explore what it can and cannot do, and with humour and insight, demystify AI.
If you've been wondering whether to embrace AI, flee from it, or just ignore it — whether you use it in your job, fear its impact on your career, or just wonder what all the fuss is about — this talk is for you.
Come to PubSci on Wednesday 20th August to explore the answers with Dr Ruth Stalker-Firth.
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PubSci talks run for around 45 minutes and are followed by a Q&A session. The Old King's Head has a happy hour before 7 and the kitchen serves traditional pub grub. The nearest tube is London Bridge (Borough High Street exit). See FAQs for more.
See below for ticketing options, to read about this month's speaker, and to learn more about PubSci.
Tickets
Booking is on a pay-what-you-can-afford basis.
There are two ticket options:
- Book without donating (max 4 tickets) if you prefer to put cash in the pot on the night
- Book for one + Support PubSci (max 1 ticket) if you prefer to contribute when booking – this option also reserves you one spot at the event.
Multiple tickets
If you need multiple tickets, you could get one Support PubSci ticket for whatever amount you're comfortable with for your group, then add the rest of your tickets for free. You can do this in one transaction, but how you book is up to you. Bring cash on the night to put in the pot if you prefer to support PubSci that way.
How much are tickets...?
There's no set 'price' – we trust you to contribute what you think is fair for an evening of great science. The precise amount is up to you, but the price of a pub drink is probably a good measure.
PubSci receives no other income. More information at the bottom of this page.
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About the speaker
Dr Ruth Stalker-Firth is a technology consultant whose involvement with the field of AI began in 1993. She says it started because that seemed the easiest way to spend a summer in Paris... and resulted in the accolade of representing the nation of Switzerland for technical innovation.
Following that, Ruth earned a PhD in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) for Artificial Intelligence and Big Data, began lecturing at university in 2001, has programmed and consulted on HCI, and has been teaching HCI, AI, cognitive science, biometrics, IT security, and web technologies for BSc, MSc and online students.
Ruth firmly believes that understanding how technology works is the key to making us all happier with our computers. She is an experienced public speaker, a celebrated tutor on the WI Learning Hub and was recognised earlier this year by National Women in Science and Engineering Day. Her website and blog get 1.2 million hits a year.
PubSci is delighted to welcome Ruth as the latest speaker in our 2025 talks programme.
About PubSci
PubSci presents accessible science talks in the comfort of a pub meeting room so you can enjoy top quality science talks with a drink in your hand.
It is an independent initiative run by volunteers, is not-for-profit, and receives no funding other than attendee contributions.
We believe science is for everyone and we want everybody to be able to afford our events, so we run PubSci on a Pay-What-You-Can basis. To contribute via Eventbrite choose "Book for one + support PubSci". To contribute on the night, please bring cash.
By making a donation, you make it possible for PubSci to put on events like this. If you're not sure what's a reasonable amount, we suggest the same as you'd pay for a drink at the pub. If you want to support somebody attending who can't afford it, consider the price of two drinks.
Note: We aim to keep PubSci accessible for all, but it is unsuitable for under 18s as we meet in the upstairs room of a pub. Regrettably, there is no wheelchair access.
Check out our Future Events page where you can also subscribe to our Google Calendar. PubSci events will then automatically appear in your own iCal compatible calendar.
You can learn more about PubSci via our LinkTree and download our events programme here.
Please see the below for all your FAQs
Frequently asked questions
PubSci is entirely funded by the audience. We have no other source of income. There is no sponsor, no grant-funding, and no institutional backing. This makes us completely independent. It also makes our relationship with the audience very important.
There is no admission charge but PubSci isn't so-much "free" as "pay-what-you-can". We trust you to make whatever contribution you think is fair for an evening of science and socialising in a central London pub. You can make your contribution when booking or bring cash on the night.
We're not going to tell you what you should put in the pot but if you're buying drinks at the pub, you might want to donate the cost of one-drink per person. That seems a pretty good definition of pay-what-you can!
Sadly, our current venue is not wheelchair accessible. The room we use is upstairs in a historic Pub and there is no level access. We have tried to find an accessible venue but nothing was available at a price that would allow us to continue PubSci's pay-what-you can policy for events.
Absolutely, yes! The kitchen opens especially for PubSci and serves a range of classic pub grub (make sure to check the Specials board). Order food at the bar and it will be brought up to the meeting room. Please listen out for your food arriving. There is a happy hour on drinks from 5 to 7pm.
PubSci is definitely social – it’s a friendly crowd and there’s time to chat after the Q&A if you want to – but it’s not designed as a “mixer” event. We come for the science and stay for the chat.
PubSci is aimed at a general audience with an interest in science-realted topics, but no specialist knowledge is required. People from all walks of life, including scientists and non-scientists can enjoy our talks. If something didn't make sense, you can always ask for clarification in the Q&A.
There is seating for 44 and lots of standing room. Around half these seats are at tables. The best way to secure a seat and/or table is to arrive when the doors open at 6.30. Please contact us in advance if you have mobility issues or are unable to stand for long.
PubSci is an inclusive event, open to all and free from judgement. We aim to be a safe and respectful space regardless of gender, sexuality, race, disability, education or neurotypicality. However, the room we use is not wheelchair accessible due to access via stairs. We are looking for a solution.
PubSci is a friendly event that offers accessible talks in the comfort of a pub meeting room where you can enjoy top quality science with a drink in your hand for whatever you can afford. We're independent, run by volunteers, not-for-profit, and receive no funding other than attendee contributions.
PubSci began long before the phrase "Sip and —" caught on. Our first tagline was "Peer Reviewed Drinking" but we later switched to "Sipping • Supping • Science" to better reflect what we do. PubSci isn't a hands-on "Sip and —" event. Check out the lovely people at LitLab for that.
Doors open at 6.30 – grab a couple of drinks and order food before the talk starts at 7. Our talks run for around 45 minutes, followed by a bar/toilet break. Some people have to head home at this point but most stay for the Q&A session which ends by 9 at the latest. You can slip out at any time.