As one of the world’s leading researchers in artificial intelligence, Toby Walsh has been awarded the Humbolt Research Award and elected as a fellow of the Association for the Advancement of AI. In The Shortest History of AI, Toby outlines the six key ideas for understanding artificial intelligence today. 

Hear Toby trace the origins of artificial intelligence in science and culture and predict where the technology is heading in the future. 

This event was presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney.

As one of the world&rsquo;s leading researchers in artificial intelligence, Toby Walsh has been awarded the Humbolt Research Award and elected as a fellow of the Association for the Advancement of AI. In&nbsp;The Shortest History of AI, Toby outlines the six key ideas for understanding artificial intelligence today.&nbsp;
Hear Toby trace the origins of artificial intelligence in science and culture and predict where the technology is heading in the future.&nbsp;
This event was presented by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.swf.org.au/" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.swf.org.au/">Sydney Writers' Festival&nbsp;</a>and supported by UNSW Sydney.

An initiative of UNSW Sydney, the Centre for Ideas is a thought-provoking program of events and digital content from the globe's leading thinkers, authors and artists.

An initiative of UNSW Sydney, the Centre for Ideas is a thought-provoking program of events and digital content from the globe's leading thinkers, authors and artists.

UNSW Centre for Ideas

An initiative of UNSW Sydney, the Centre for Idea…

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6 things you need to know about AI with Toby Walsh (Re-release)

Programs like ChatGPT have become ubiquitous with AI, promising to kick start the next industrial evolution. But the scale of resources needed to support AI are staggering, with the cost largely being levied on the marginalised. From energy demands eclipsing whole cities, to labour exploitation in the global south, this behaviour bodes poorly for an equitable future.

In Empire of AI, award-winning investigative journalist Karen Hao unpacks the rise of OpenAI and their race for global dominance – prompting the question, what will it take to reign in this laissez-faire approach to growth? Answers are needed and UNSW legal expert Mimi Zou is exploring the possibilities surrounding the regulation of AI, along with UNSW neuroscientist Joel Pearson who is scrutinising the human impact of AI at an individual and societal level.

Hear Chief Scientist of UNSW AI Toby Walsh in conversation with Karen Hao and then Mimi Zou and Joel Pearson on what it will take to usher in a sustainable, equitable AI revolution.

Programs like ChatGPT have become ubiquitous with AI, promising to kick start the next industrial evolution. But the scale of resources needed to support AI are staggering, with the cost largely being levied on the marginalised. From energy demands eclipsing whole cities, to labour exploitation in the global south, this behaviour bodes poorly for an equitable future.
In&nbsp;Empire of AI, award-winning investigative journalist Karen Hao unpacks the rise of OpenAI and their race for global dominance &ndash; prompting the question, what will it take to reign in this laissez-faire approach to growth? Answers are needed and UNSW legal expert Mimi Zou is exploring the possibilities surrounding the regulation of AI, along with UNSW neuroscientist Joel Pearson who is scrutinising the human impact of AI at an individual and societal level.
Hear Chief Scientist of UNSW AI Toby Walsh in conversation with Karen Hao and then Mimi Zou and Joel Pearson on what it will take to usher in a sustainable, equitable AI revolution.

Karen Hao: Empire of AI (Re-release)

Many people would recognise Australian actress Yael Stone from her breakout role as the red-lipped Lorna Morello in TV series Orange is the New Black. But, in 2020 she gave up her green card, and her acting career in the United States, unable to reconcile the carbon emissions of the jet-setting lifestyle with her own climate conscience. Since then, Yael has channelled her focus into a new career path in climate advocacy, going back to university and co-founding the not-for-profit renewables and clean energy organisation, Hi Neighbour.  

In celebration of International Women’s Day 2026, hear actress, entrepreneur and climate advocate Yael Stone alongside writer and broadcaster Benjamin Law as they explore what we have to give up to gain a life living in alignment with our personal values.

Many people would recognise&nbsp;Australian&nbsp;actress&nbsp;Yael&nbsp;Stone&nbsp;from her breakout role as&nbsp;the red-lipped Lorna Morello&nbsp;in&nbsp;TV series&nbsp;Orange is the New Black.&nbsp;But, in&nbsp;2020 she gave up her green card, and her&nbsp;acting career&nbsp;in the United States,&nbsp;unable to reconcile the carbon emissions of&nbsp;the&nbsp;jet-setting&nbsp;lifestyle&nbsp;with her own climate&nbsp;conscience. Since then,&nbsp;Yael has channelled her focus into&nbsp;a new career&nbsp;path in&nbsp;climate&nbsp;advocacy, going back to university and co-founding&nbsp;the&nbsp;not-for-profit&nbsp;renewables and clean energy organisation,&nbsp;Hi Neighbour.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In celebration of International Women&rsquo;s Day 2026, hear actress, entrepreneur and climate advocate Yael Stone alongside writer and broadcaster Benjamin Law as they explore what we have to give up to gain a life living in alignment with our personal values.

Yael Stone: Giving to gain

Within today's social media landscape, a finely tuned content algorithm is serving up often unhealthy and sometimes extreme views on masculinity. For boys, in particular, the injection of vitriol into playgrounds, classrooms, backyards and wider society has turned the question of what it means to be a man on its head. This is also having far-reaching consequences for young girls and women. 

So what do we do when influencers co-opt masculinity for clout? Hear ABC presenter Siobhan Marin as she explores this topic with award-winning author, human rights advocate and Indigenous leader Thomas Mayo, former Aussie Rules player and Chief Operating Officer for the AFL, Tom Harley.

Originally recorded on 18 November 2025.

Within today's social media landscape, a finely tuned content algorithm is serving up often unhealthy and sometimes extreme views on masculinity. For boys, in particular, the injection of vitriol into playgrounds, classrooms, backyards and wider society has turned the question of what it means to be a man on its head. This is also having far-reaching consequences for young girls and women.&nbsp;
So what do we do when influencers co-opt masculinity for clout? Hear&nbsp;ABC presenter Siobhan Marin as she explores this topic with award-winning author, human rights advocate and Indigenous leader Thomas Mayo, former Aussie Rules player and Chief Operating Officer for the AFL, Tom Harley.
Originally recorded on 18 November 2025.

6 things you need to know about AI with Toby Walsh (Re-release)

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