People complacent about Artificial Intelligence in teaching, learning, or general society, are in for a huge reality check at Armidale’s Skeptics In The Pub on September 17.

UNE science lecturer Dr Tommy Leung will deliver a laser-focussed critique of AI generative models and will show why we urgently need to be skeptical and very careful.

“Generative AI models have been promised to revolutionise every aspect of our lives – from science, medicine, and finance, to skincare, dating, or even a visit to the café,” Dr Leung said.

“I will be cutting through the ocean of hype and marketing surrounding these models which are based on foundations of exploitation and abuse. I will take a highly critical look at their limitations and dangers.”

Dr Leung, who lectures in parasitology and evolutionary biology, also has a leadership role as Academic Integrity Investigating Officer for the School of Environmental and Rural Science.

That role involves investigating cases of academic integrity breaches by students, including plagiarism, collusion, ghost writing, and unauthorised use of generative AIs for completing exams and assignments.

“The risk and dangers of AI in the classroom will form part of my presentation, but I will also look at society in general. I will show the unspoken human and environmental costs, as well as the damages already inflicted upon various aspects of our lives – from labour, to creative work, to culture, and to how we perceive reality itself.”

Skeptics In The Pub is open to everyone and is a free event* (gold coin donation appreciated).

There is no need to book.

It kicks off from 5.30pm at The Welder’s Dog Brewery at 101 Beardy Street.

Pay for drinks and gourmet pizza and settle back for Dr Leung’s presentation at 7pm.

Skeptics In The Pub is a volunteer-run community organisation affiliated with Australian Skeptics Inc which aims to promote critical thinking, reason, logic, ethics, and the scientific method.