Oxfordshire

Conrad Wolfram – European co-founder and CEO of Wolfram Research

With experience of 36 years since the first release of Mathematica and 15 since the symbolic AI of Wolfram|Alpha, Conrad Wolfram will put today’s computer-based industrial revolution in context. He will mix a wide range of topics with live demos and insights to future directions for computation, AI and human education to optimise societal benefit.

A festive buffet will be served from 6.30

About Conrad Wolfram

Conrad Wolfram, physicist, mathematician, and technologist, has been Strategic Director and European Co-Founder/CEO of Wolfram – the “computation company” behind Mathematica, Wolfram Language and Wolfram|Alpha.
Wolfram pioneers new approaches to AI, data science and computation-based development, with technology and consulting solutions that drive innovation in analytics, software development, and modelling. Wolfram works with start-ups to Fortune 500 companies, Government and Education and industries across all sectors.
Conrad is recognised as a thought leader in hybrid AI, ubiquitous computation, and 21st century education. He has pioneered a fundamental fix of maths education to become computer-based and ready for the AI age, founding computerbasedmath.org and computationalthinking.org to manifest this vision, rebuilding the curriculum and achieving computational literacy for everyone. His acclaimed 2020 book, The Math(s) Fix lays out the detailed proposal.
He regularly appears in the media to cover subjects ranging from decision-making in the computational age, education, and human capabilities for survival and value-added existence in the AI age.
He holds degrees in Natural Sciences and Maths from the University of Cambridge, UK.

Hybrid Meeting

This event will be held both “in person” and “via Zoom”.

“In Person” Logistics

The “in person” meeting will be held at our new meeting place: Rewley House, 1 Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2JA. The meeting will commence at 7:30pm, and an assortment of light refreshments will be available beforehand. Once registration is open, please register for the event as usual using the Eventbrite link on the website or via MeetUp, where you will be able to indicate whether you are attending via Zoom or in person.

COVID-19

BCS is following government guidelines and we would ask attendees to continue to also follow these guidelines. Please go to https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ for more information, advice, and instructions.

BCS’ Fellows Technical Advisory Group (F-TAG) was formed two years ago to provide insight on cutting-edge technologies and professional practice.

The group has had a transformational impact in that time, working closely with the Policy and PR team, to grow our reputation for thought leadership with government departments, sector bodies, the media and our membership community.

F-TAG’s work includes:

A paper on The Online Safety Bill produced with input from key member groups such as Law, AI and Software.

A proactive position paper arguing against a ‘pause’ on AI development.

Leading the development of BCS’ open letter calling for AI to be seen as force for good, rather than an existential threat, which was covered by the BBC.

Most recently F-TAG was acknowledged by the government for supporting it’s detailed process framework for AI Safety.

Could you be an F-TAG member?

F-TAG is beginning a new round of member recruitment; we are seeking Fellows from diverse demographic and professional backgrounds with proven expertise in a range of areas of technology and practice.

The map of expert fields we need to represent is below – please do state your areas of expertise on the short application form, should you choose to apply:

All F-TAG members must care about diversity and inclusion, and believe in the principle of making technically complex subjects accessible to a range of audiences.

What’s required of me?

F-TAG meets online monthly. Between meetings, members are expected to lead, or collaborate on, the writing of BCS policy position papers with support of colleagues and the central BCS team.

If you are a BCS Fellow are interested in applying, Please complete this form by Wednesday 20th December 2023.

If you have questions before applying please email F-TAG Chair Adam Leon Smith FBCS (adamleonsmith@protonmail.com) and Deputy Chair Christine Ashton FBCS (christine.ashton@bcs.org).

Appointments to F-TAG are made by a Selection Committee reporting to Community Board – for full details please see the terms of reference on the F-TAG webpage.