Session 2 - Doors 7:45pm; Show 8pm - 10pm

We’re going to the moon! And then crashing back to earth for a sobering look at the sinister side of AI. In this futuristic mashup, we’ll hear from Australia’s hottest(!) astronomer Professor Alan Duffy on the industrialisation of space and Australia’s role in mining the moon. Then we’ll meet a group of experts poised to save us from the digital apocalypse. Cybersecurity guru Lilly Ryan will take us through the rise of face recognition technology, covering how it works, how it’s used and abused, and what we can do to protect ourselves. We’ll break our smartphone addictions in a lightning mindfulness session with Dr Larissa Bartlett. Then computer scientist Mars Buttfield-Addison will take us on a whirlwind tour of AI poisoning and adversity, in which an arms race rages between AI innovators and human creators who want to protect their livelihoods.

This ticket gets you free entry to the Late Night Festival Club, starting immediately after this session ends.

This session is Auslan interpreted.

About the Main Stage Sessions

We’re transforming City Hall into a vibrant, interactive den of cerebral delights. Imagine listening in on fascinating chats amongst brilliant scientists while putting your feet up in a friend’s lounge room, which is also a cabaret theatre with two well stocked bars in it. Each session offers a mix of presentations, interactive stuff, really short talks, live music by our incredible house band Stevie and the Bunsen Burners, and all sorts of surprises. You can sneak off for a drink any time, and even come and go during the session, but surely you won’t want to miss a minute of the action.

A Seat at the Table
Beaker Street Festival's pay-it-forward initiative, A Seat at the Table, helps make our science and art offerings accessible to those who can't afford to purchase a ticket. Ticket buyers have the option to donate towards the cost of a stranger's ticket. You won't know who you've helped, but your donation will go directly to allowing someone else to access this great event. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

Need a seat at the table? Just fill out this quick form to request one or two tickets to any event. Your information will never be shared or made public. If we can offer you a seat, we'll notify you by email a week or two out from the event.

More about Beaker Street Festival
Beaker Street Festival is a week-long celebration of science and art in Lutruwita/Tasmania each August. Now in its eighth year, Beaker Street Festival promises a mix of wonder, flavour, and scientifically proven fun. The Festival invites adults from all walks of life to delve into today’s hottest topics with a packed program of science-infused entertainment and discussions, while experiencing the best of Tasmanian environments and culture. View the entire program at www.beakerstreet.com.au

BEAKER STREET FESTIVAL
AUGUST 6-13 2024