Reimagining Humanity in the Age of Generative AI

Have you ever wondered what it means to be human in a world where machines are becoming increasingly sophisticated and autonomous?

How long will it be until AI can pass captcha tests and convincingly prove it is not a robot? How long will it take for AI to accurately imitate human emotions, curiosity, the desire to question, and the joy of love? Or will these qualities always remain intrinsic to being human? With ChatGPT and Midjourney-like AI software putting content creation jobs at risk, will they ever be capable of capturing the true essence of creativity embodied by Shakespeare and Picasso?

Generative AI technologies have captured the attention and imagination of everyone, but their development and use pose complex challenges and risks that must be addressed to ensure their benefits are truly realized. In this talk, we will take a deep dive into the exciting and rapidly evolving field of generative AI, exploring its potential social benefits and the challenges it poses for our society. We will examine the importance of considering factors such as race, gender, linguistic diversity, accessibility, and more in the development and deployment of AI technologies. Finally, we will offer a glimpse into what the future could look like in the age of generative AI and explore how we can work together to build a world where AI and humanity can thrive side by side.

Join us on this journey to the frontier of human-centered AI, where innovation and empathy meet to shape the future of our world.

About the Speaker

Dr Muneera Bano serves as a Senior Research Scientist at CSIRO's Data61, focusing on projects related to responsible AI and promoting diversity and inclusion within the AI field. Her focus is on the intersection of computers and humans, specifically exploring ways to engineer technology to better serve people's needs.

Muneera graduated with a PhD in Software Engineering from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) in 2015. Since then, she has held positions as a post-doctoral researcher at both UTS and RMIT University in Melbourne. Muneera has authored nearly 50 articles in prestigious international journals and conferences within the software engineering field. Her passion and interest in the field of Artificial Intelligence and Diversity and Inclusion guide her research in socio-technical domains of software engineering that focus on human-centered technologies.

As a Superstar of STEM and a member of the ‘Equity, Diversity and Inclusion’ committee for Science and Technology Australia, Muneera is dedicated to breaking down societal barriers and reshaping attitudes towards scientists from diverse backgrounds. In 2019, she was awarded the title of ‘Most Influential Asian-Australian Under 40’ as part of the Asian-Australia Leadership Awards in recognition of her achievements.