Free Public Lecture Series Explores Artificial Intelligence and Society

From deepfakes to job automation, artificial intelligence is no longer on the horizon — it is already reshaping how we live, work, and govern. As the pace of technological change accelerates, the social, political, ethical and economic consequences are becoming harder to ignore.

This autumn, Trinity College Dublin’s School of Social Sciences and Philosophy presents AI: The Age of Disruption, a free public lecture series exploring the impact of artificial intelligence on human life. Across four Thursday evenings in September and October, experts from the School’s four departments (Sociology, Philosophy, Economics and Political Science) will examine the complex realities of AI from multiple disciplinary perspectives.

Paul O’Grady, Head of the School of Social Sciences and Philosophy, explains: “Artificial intelligence is already transforming our world in profound ways, from the way we work and interact to how we govern and make decisions. This series brings together researchers from across the School to explore what that means for individuals, institutions and society as a whole. We hope these events will spark important conversations and invite the public to think critically about the kind of future we are creating.”

Dates: Thursday 25 September, 2, 9 & 16 October 2025

Time: 7.00 pm – 8.30 pm

Location: The Synge Theatre, Arts Building, Trinity College Dublin

Admission: Free, but advance registration required. Full details and registration are available on Eventbrite.

Schedule of Lectures:

‘A New Sociology of Humans and Machines’, Thursday 25 September 2025. What happens when machines become part of society? Professor Taha Yasseri, from the Department of Sociology, explores how intelligent systems are shaping communication, cooperation and decision-making, and why we may need a new sociological framework to understand our changing social world.

‘Machines Like Us? The Ethics of Artificial General Intelligence’, Thursday 2 October 2025. Can we create minds more powerful than our own, and should we? Dr Will Ratoff, from the Department of Philosophy, investigates the ethical, social and existential dilemmas raised by artificial general intelligence, from the promise of progress to the risks of unchecked creation.

‘The New Economic Order with AI’, Thursday 9 October 2025. AI is revolutionising work and productivity, but at what cost? Dr Jian Cao, from the Department of Economics, discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping the global economy, and what governments and societies must do to adapt, regulate and prepare for the future.

‘Democracy & AI: Navigating the Political Risks’, Thursday 16 October 2025. From deepfakes to data-driven campaigning, AI is challenging the foundations of democracy. Political Scientists Professor Constantine Boussalis, Dr Tom Paskhalis and Dr Asli Ceren Cinar explore the rise of algorithmic influence, misinformation, and targeted propaganda, and how democratic systems can adapt and respond.