Dr Piotr Mirowski 

Improviser and research scientist in deep learning

Piotr obtained his Ph.D. in computer science at New York University under the supervision of deep learning pioneer Prof. Yann LeCun. He has a decade-long experience of machine learning in industrial research labs, where he developed solutions for epileptic seizure prediction from EEG, robotic navigation and natural language processing. His passion for performing arts, as a drama student with a 17-year background in improvised theatre, drew him to create HumanMachine, an artistic experiment fusing improv and AI, where Piotr’s alter-ego Albert shares the stage with a computer called A.L.Ex. The show aims at raising questions on communication, spontaneity and automaticity.

Dr Yasemin J. Erden 

Senior lecturer in Philosophy, St Mary’s University

Yasemin's main areas of research are within emerging technologies such as intelligent systems, nanotechnology, the internet and social networking. Alongside this she is an independent ethics expert for the European Commission, as well as a committee member of The Society for the Study of Artificial Intelligence and Simulation of Behaviour (AISB).

Prof Murray Shanahan 

Professor in Cognitive Robotics, Imperial College

Murray is in the Dept. of Computing at Imperial College London, where he heads the Neurodynamics Group. Educated at Imperial College and Cambridge University (King’s College), he became a full professor in 2006. His publications span artificial intelligence, robotics, logic, dynamical systems, computational neuroscience, and philosophy of mind. He was scientific advisor to the film Ex Machina, and regularly appears in the media to comment on artificial intelligence and robotics. His books include “Embodiment and the Inner Life” (2010), and “The Technological Singularity” (2015).