QMU to host free symposium on the realities and future of AI
On Tuesday 28 October, Queen Margaret University (QMU) will host a free public symposium exploring the scope, potential, and limitations of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for individuals, organisations, and wider society.
Hosted by Thomas Peschken-Holt, Head of Queen Margaret Business School, the symposium will bring together a diverse panel of experts from across Scotland, including:
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Mark Wilkinson, Chief Growth Officer, The Data Lab
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Susanne Beurskens, Senior Manager of Revenue Management, Marriott Hotels
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Professor Stefania Paladini, Professor of Business Analytics, Queen Margaret University
Together, the panel will move beyond the headlines, offering fresh perspectives on what AI already does, what it could do, and what perhaps it should not do. The discussion will consider AI’s ethical implications, potential biases, and its growing influence across all areas of modern life and work.
With the Bank of England warning of a potential AI bubble, Queen Margaret University is keen to shine a light beyond the hype and open up the conversation across a range of diverse stakeholder views. We hope this event will help participants look beyond the possible and explore how AI can be opened up for those who feel disenfranchised or sceptical, while also considering what reassurances and governance principles might be needed. AI will only become a truly mainstream tool if we can provide a positive, inclusive and forward-looking perspective on living and doing business with AI.
AI has become an omnipresent force – from simple text generation to complex data-driven decision-making – and its influence continues to expand. The symposium will encourage open discussion on how AI can be used ethically, equitably, and effectively across society.
This event, ‘Beyond the Algorithm - Living and Doing Business with AI’, will take place in Room 2156 at QMU, with registration from 4:45pm and the main event running from 5:00pm to 6:00pm. It is free and open to all, but will be particularly valuable for business leaders, HR and IT professionals, academics, students, and anyone curious about the role of AI in shaping the future of work and society.
