“As soon as it works, no one calls it AI anymore”, John McCarthy (founding father of Artificial Intelligence)

Smart technologies, driven by artificial intelligence (AI), are swiftly changing many aspects of our lives. From health trackers that suggest exercise programmes, to search and suggest algorithms that match our interests with consumer goods, smart technology is everywhere, using data collected from our online interactions to make informed predictions and recommendations for us.

But for many, the term “artificial intelligence” evokes science fiction-fed images of a future ruled by sentient, nefarious robots. And a significant segment of the scientific community worry that humanity is pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence for innovation's sake alone, without enough focus on maximizing the potential social benefits of AI.

Education is a key area in which artificial intelligence is increasingly present in tools such as adaptive curricula, online personalized tutors, and teachable agents. So should we be worried? What do we know about how smart technologies work, and what might be realistically possible in the near and distant future? And how can artificial intelligence be best, and most responsibly, leveraged to support teachers in their work to improve outcomes for learners?

This autumn, Pearson and the London Knowledge Lab are teaming up to convene the teaching and research communities for a series of three events designed to explore artificial intelligence in the context of education. Over the course of the series we’ll answer questions about what AI is (and isn’t), foster constructive conversations about how we might address real, pressing problems in education through innovative applications of smart technology, and host a debate focused on the hopes and fears related to AI in ed in the future.

Join us for our first event on 22nd September 2015. We'll start the evening with an interactive, mythbusting ‘AI: 101’ session with entrepreneur and data scientist Dr Rand Hindi, the founder and CEO of Snips. This will be followed by an opportunity to have your questions answered during a conversation between Dr Rose Luckin and Dr Benedict Du Boulay, two of the UK’s leading experts in AI and education.

Got a question about AI? We want to hear it!

This session is meant to be as useful as possible - so we want to hear what’s on your mind. Submit your questions on the topic of AI in Education for our experts in advance. Our experts will select the most thought-provoking questions from those submitted to be explored in-depth at the event. You can also ask your questions via Twitter using #AIinED.

If you're not able to join us in person you can attend the event virutally via livestream.

Registration will begin at 6pm with the event starting promptly at 6:30pm. There will be a period for networking with speakers and attendees from approx 8:15pm with official event close at 9pm. Drinks and nibbles will be provided from 6pm.

Numbers for this event are limited and a waiting list will be created once the event is fully subscribed. Please be aware that the event will be filmed and photographed.

This event is part of a series of 3 connected events on how we might use Artificial Intelligence in Education. The second event will take place on 15th October with the final event following on 17th November. By registering for this event you will receive automated message once registration for these other events has opened.