The Future of Reality Susan Halfpenny, Stephanie Jesper and Siobhan Dunlop
Event details
Missed this event? Watch the talk on Youtube.
Digital technologies seem to offer up infinite possibilities: we can connect with people on the other side of the world; we can control our heating from our mobile phone; we can ask Google the answer to any question.
And now with the growth of artificial intelligence and machine learning we have started to look to technology to automate our decisions: problems solved with no thinking required.
But what happens when our previous interactions determine the information we see? If technologies are tailoring a reality just for us, what are we missing out on? What if we only ever see what we’d like to see?
Susan Halfpenny, Stephanie Jesper and Siobhan Dunlop from the University of York’s Teaching and Learning Team, look at how preference and personalisation have become leading principles in technological design. They will explore platform funding from open source to the ‘ad model’: how different funding revenues can inform design principles and what we see online. They’ll also consider what skills will be essential as we move into a future where multiple realities are a possibility.
Discover how technologies can and do present us with infinite horizons, but only if they are based on open and ethical design principles.
Join in the live Q&As immediately afterwards on Twitter @UoYITServices.
Missed this event? Watch the talk on Youtube.
About the speakers
Susan Halfpenny is the Teaching and Learning Manager with the University of York’s Information Services. The Teaching and Learning Team have expertise in digital literacy capabilities, including ICT literacy and information, data and media literacy. They provide support to both staff and students in the development of digital capabilities and best use of applications to support teaching, research and administration.
Siobhan Dunlop is a Teaching and Learning Advisor in Information Services at the University of York, working to develop and deliver digital skills training for students and staff with a focus on digital creativity, coding, and how digital technologies affect our lives.
Steph Jesper has spent the last umpteen years living in spreadsheets. She's a qualified Librarian who moonlights in IT, developing and delivering digital skills training for students and staff at the University of York. Prior to that, she’s had fun at a range of educational establishments, and less fun trying to sell records online. Her role model is Maggie Philbin, her favourite Doctor Who serial is The Stones of Blood, her Eurovision Song Contest of choice is 1977, and her preferred Treasure Hunt episode is Birmingham (series 2) – all things she’s been able to rewatch thanks to the internet.