The AI Paradox: Hope, Hype and Horror

Artificial intelligence is rapidly moving from the realm of science fiction into everyday life. It promises extraordinary possibilities, from accelerating scientific discovery and transforming healthcare to reshaping education, creativity and the way we work. Yet alongside this optimism comes a growing sense of uncertainty about what AI may ultimately mean for society.

Is AI genuinely as transformative as its advocates claim, or are we living through an unprecedented wave of hype? What happens when increasingly powerful systems begin to outperform humans at tasks once considered uniquely human? And what should we make of concerns around misinformation, surveillance, job displacement, autonomous decision-making and the concentration of technological power?

The paradox is that the same technology that could help solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges may also create new and deeply difficult ones.

This session will look beyond the headlines to examine the promises, exaggerations and genuine risks surrounding artificial intelligence. From scientific breakthroughs and human creativity to social disruption and existential concerns, we will explore what AI could make possible, what may be overstated, and what we should be genuinely worried about.

About the Panelists:

• Rashid Saleem
  (Associate Professor, English Language and Literature; AI Enthusiast)
• Muhammad Siddiqui
  (Software and AI Engineer, Tech Entrepreneur)
• Dr. Naqeeb ur Rehman
  (Mathematician, STEAM Ambassador — Moderator)

This session is free and open to all. Just visit the venue to attend it.

The Black Hole
Plot 5H, Street 100, G-11/3, Islamabad.
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