TECHTONIC: Can technology predict our death?

On May 21st I’m joining a public panel debate at TECHTONIC — the event series run by Algoritmer (the ADD Project: Algorithms, Data, and Democracy) — under the somewhat ominous title “Kan teknologien forudsige vores død?” (“Can technology predict our death?”). The framing from the organizers:

Om AI forudsigelser og menneskers rettigheder – kom til debat om AI fremtiden. AI-modeller kan bruges til at forudsige menneskers adfærd og livsbane med en forbavsende præcision. Inden for en overskuelig årrække vil teknologien måske endda være i stand til at forudsige vores død. Hvis man med stor sandsynlighed kan forudse en persons handlinger, bør det så få konsekvenser for vedkommendes rettigheder?

(Roughly: AI models can predict human behavior and life trajectories with surprising precision; within a foreseeable timeframe, perhaps even our deaths. If you can predict a person’s actions with high probability, should that have consequences for that person’s rights?)

The structure: I present the science behind life-trajectory prediction (life2vec and adjacent work). Thomas Ploug then presents his research on how AI predictions shift the way we think about other people’s rights. The two of us then discuss the future of human rights with Johan Busse, National and Legal Director at the Danish Institute for Human Rights. Approximately one hour of presentation and discussion, followed by drinks until the bar closes at 17:00.

The event is in Danish. Mandag Morgen’s courtyard, Ny Kongensgade 10, doors at 15:00. Free, but registration is required via the event page.