Watch: Professor Martin Hilbert’s Keynote on AI’s Revolution and the Path Forward

Watch Dr. Hilbert's Keynote lecture "AI Unleashed: Navigating Boundless Intelligence & Existential Risks — Choosing Our Future” on YouTube!

How will artificial intelligence reshape our world? What risks and opportunities lie ahead as AI transforms education, politics, and society? Join the conversation by watching Professor Martin Hilbert’s thought-provoking keynote address at the 2024 UC Tech Conference.

Held October 27-29 at UC Davis, the UC Tech Conference is the University of California system’s premier event for technology, innovation, and research, drawing over 800 attendees and presenters from all ten UC campuses. This year’s theme, “Collaboration for Transformation,” underscored the power of innovation and teamwork in addressing the most pressing technological and societal challenges.

Professor Hilbert, a leading authority on computational social science in UC Davis’ Department of Communication, delivered the keynote, “AI Unleashed: Navigating Boundless Intelligence & Existential Risks — Choosing Our Future.” In his address, he explored the explosive impact of generative AI, which surged into the public spotlight with the release of ChatGPT in 2023—the fastest-spreading invention in history. Hilbert highlighted how generative AI, now surpassing the Turing test, is rapidly transforming digital reality, blending with advancements like blockchain and the 3D metaverse to revolutionize intellectual productivity and emotional sensitivity.

Drawing attention to both the opportunities and challenges posed by “knowledge automation,” Hilbert reflected on the profound ways generative AI is redefining human identity. With productivity gains exceeding 50% for many intellectual tasks and the automation of knowledge creation at the click of a button, AI disrupts humanity’s traditional role as the sole creator of knowledge. In his keynote, he called on attendees to engage with the ethical, societal, and personal implications of this technological revolution, urging careful navigation to ensure AI enhances, rather than detracts from, human well-being.

Being chosen as a keynote speaker at UC Tech is a distinguished honor, recognizing Professor Hilbert’s significant contributions to the fields of communication and computational social science. His groundbreaking work sheds light on the social and ethical dimensions of AI, offering invaluable insights to help the UC community and broader public navigate the complexities of an increasingly AI-driven world.

UC Davis is proud to celebrate Professor Hilbert’s leadership and vision. His presence at UC Tech 2024 marks another milestone in the Department of Communication’s impact within and beyond academia, reinforcing UC Davis’ role as a leading voice in the responsible development and application of technology.