Major speakers consider artificial intelligence role in Northern Powerhouse

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Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and Lord Robert Kerslake will be among the speakers at an event seeking to understand the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) within the context of the Government’s Northern Powerhouse project.

Humans Need Not Apply? On Artificial Intelligence and Inclusive Growth has been organised by the University’s Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place and will consider the impact of AI on ageing and healthcare and work and cities, as well as assessing the regional inequalities particular to the UK.

The keynote speaker, Lord Kerslake is Chair of the UK2070 Commission, which has been charged by Government with producing an independent enquiry into the country’s city and regional inequalities.

Lord Kerslake will speak about the “age of the left behinds”, alongside fellow UK2070 member, and Professor of Spatial Planning at the University of Manchester, Cecilia Wong.

The event, which is free to attend and runs throughout the day at Liverpool Science Park, will be opened by University of Liverpool Pro Vice-Chancellor for Cultural Engagement, Professor Dinah Birch; before Director of the Heseltine Institute, Professor Mark Boyle introduces the theme around artificial intelligence and the desire for inclusive growth.

Attendees will then hear from a broad range of voices, including representatives from both public and private sectors, academics of multiple disciplines and regional leaders.

Liverpool City-Region (LCR) Mayor, Steve Rotheram will close the event with a talk, entitled The LCR: Towards an Inclusive Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Professor Mark Boyle said: “We believe that the Northern Powerhouse need not approach AI with a sense of foreboding – nor indeed a naïve boosterism.

“Much will depend on how we prepare for and respond to the AI revolution, who governs the production, ownership, dissemination and application of AI and thereafter the end to which AI is put.

“This mini-conference will place under scrutiny practical and concrete steps which might be taken – within the context of English devolution, Combined Authorities, Metro Mayors and City Deals – to ensure that AI works to secure inclusive growth rather than deepen inequalities.”

Humans Need Not Apply? On Artificial Intelligence and Inclusive Growth runs from 9.30am to 4.30pm on Wednesday February 6, at Innovation Centre One, Liverpool Science Park. To find out more, and secure your place, please visit https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/heseltine-institute/events/humansneednotapply/