RSA Events

The Observer on AI

In the past year, AI capabilities have rapidly advanced across fields ranging from coding to higher mathematics. Industry valuations and capital expenditure have soared to hundreds of billions of dollars, and nations are racing to build their own “sovereign” compute capacity. Sceptics warn of an AI bubble, but governments increasingly fear missing out on what could be the most fundamental general-purpose technology since electricity.  The Observer’s Global AI Index aims to make sense of this landscape in the 93 countries that invest in artificial intelligence. Now in its sixth year, it’s the leading ranking of countries in their investment, implementation and innovation in artificial intelligence. Hear from The Observer’s data scientists as they discuss the latest rankings, trends and changes, before a conversation led by editor-in-chief, James Harding, about what this means.  Speakers:  Patricia Clarke, Technology Reporter, The Observer  Serena Cesareo, Senior Researcher, The Observer  Hannah Schuller, Data Reporter and Researcher, The Observer  Chair: James Harding, Editor in Chief, The Observer  In Partnership with The Observer.   Donate to the RSA: https://thersa.co/3ZyPOEa Become an RSA Events sponsor: https://utm.guru/ueemb Follow RSA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thersaorg/ Like RSA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theRSAorg/ Listen to RSA Events podcasts: https://bit.ly/35EyQYU Join our Fellowship: https://www.thersa.org/fellowship/join

The future of the BBC

From debates over impartiality and political pressure to digital consumption habits and culture-war narratives, this Great Room discussion brings together leading voices to examine what a renewed, resilient BBC could become. SPEAKERS: * Alan Rusbridger, Journalist and Editor, Prospect Magazine * Manveen Rana, Journalist and Podcast Host, The Times * Lewis Goodall, Journalist, Broadcaster (The News Agents) and Author * Hardeep Matharu, Editor-in-Chief, Byline Times CHAIR: * Nina Nannar, Arts Editor, ITV News Donate to the RSA: https://thersa.co/3ZyPOEa Become an RSA Events sponsor: https://utm.guru/ueemb Follow RSA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thersaorg/ Like RSA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theRSAorg/ Listen to RSA Events podcasts: https://bit.ly/35EyQYU Join our Fellowship: https://www.thersa.org/fellowship/join

Minds in the making: humans, AI and the future of thought

In the RSA’s historic Great Room – the home of ideas since the Enlightenment – cognitive scientist Gaurav Suri explores how both human and AI minds emerge from vast, hidden networks of neural activity. A clear, compelling introduction to the science behind intelligence, attention and learning. SPEAKER: * Gaurav Suri, Cognitive Scientist and Psychologist (Associate Professor, San Francisco State University) CHAIR: * David Malone, Documentary Filmmaker and Author Donate to the RSA: https://thersa.co/3ZyPOEa Become an RSA Events sponsor: https://utm.guru/ueemb Follow RSA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thersaorg/ Like RSA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theRSAorg/ Listen to RSA Events podcasts: https://bit.ly/35EyQYU Join our Fellowship: https://www.thersa.org/fellowship/join

RDI Address 2025

The 2025 RDI address will be delivered by incoming Master Johanna Gibbons RDI, founding partner of J&L Gibbons and founding director of Landscape Learn. Johanna is a Landscape Architect, Founding Partner of J&L Gibbons established in 1986 and Founding Director of social enterprise Landscape Learn. She studied at Edinburgh College of Art and is a Fellow of the Landscape Institute and the RSA, and a Research Partner of Urban Mind with Kings College London with an international profile as design panellist, juror and speaker. Jo was awarded Royal Designer for Industry in 2019 for her ‘pioneering and influential work combining design with activism, education and professional practice’. She is respected for routinely and seamlessly incorporating ecology, organismal biology, urban planning, conservation, community organising, the arts, and pedagogy, being driven by a keen awareness of climate change, biodiversity loss, and social need. Her many award-winning, collaborative and innovative designs span over four decades of practice, mostly within the cultural and public realm sector. They range from urban regeneration, heritage and estate planning to artist collaboration and the landscapes of cathedrals and museums, including the Natural History Museum London, Inger Munch Pier Oslo, Horniman Museum and Gardens, St Albans Cathedral and The British Library. Prior to the Address, 5 new Royal Designers for Industry (RDI) and 2 new Honorary Royal Designers for Industry will be welcomed to the Faculty. The title ‘Royal Designer for Industry [https://www.thersa.org/about/royal-designers-for-industry]’ is awarded annually by the RSA to designers of all disciplines who have achieved sustained design excellence, work of aesthetic value and significant benefit to society. The RDI is the highest accolade for designers in the UK. Only 200 designers can hold the title. Non-UK designers may become honorary Royal Designers. The ‘Royal Designers’ are responsible for designing the world around us, enriching our cultural heritage, driving innovation, inspiring creativity in others and improving our quality of life. SPEAKERS: * Johanna Gibbons RDI, founding partner of J&L Gibbons and founding director of Landscape Learn * Charlie Paton RDI, founder and director of Seawater Greenhouse Ltd and RDI Master CHAIR: * Sir Loyd Grossman CBE, chair of trustees, RSA Donate to the RSA: https://thersa.co/3ZyPOEa Become an RSA Events sponsor: https://utm.guru/ueemb Follow RSA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thersaorg/ Like RSA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theRSAorg/ Listen to RSA Events podcasts: https://bit.ly/35EyQYU Join our Fellowship: https://www.thersa.org/fellowship/join

The Creative Freelancer’s Experience

As the Government looks to appoint a new Freelance Champion for the creative industries we delve into the findings of the latest State of the Nations report from Creative PEC on Arts, Culture and Heritage workforce. Dr Mark Taylor will unveil the findings and plot the freelancer journey in the creative industries. A panel of guests including Yasmin Khan, Director for Individual Practitioners, Arts Council England, Philippa Childs, Deputy General Secretary, of the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Communications and Theatre Union, Amy Tarr, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Creative UK, and Alexander Jacob, freelance television director, will explore how creative freelancers can be better supported and what the priorities should be for the new government champion. Chaired by Bernard Hay, Head of Policy, Creative PEC. Followed by Q&A and soft drinks reception. The new State of the Nations report, Who stays and who leaves?: Mapping arts, culture and heritage careers, will be released and available to download on the day. The Creative PEC [https://pec.ac.uk/] is funded by the AHRC [https://www.ukri.org/councils/ahrc/] and led by Newcastle University [https://www.ncl.ac.uk/creativepec/] with the RSA. Speakers: SPEAKERS: * Yasmin Khan, Director for Individual Practitioners, Arts Council England [https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/] * Philippa Childs, Head of Bectu [https://bectu.org.uk/] * Amy Tarr, Associate Director, Policy & Research, Creative UK [https://www.wearecreative.uk/] * Dr Mark Taylor, Research Lead for Arts, Culture and Heritage at Creative PEC [https://pec.ac.uk/], and Senior Lecturer in Quantitative Methods, University of Sheffield [https://sheffield.ac.uk/] * Alexander Jacob, Freelance television director CHAIR: * Bernard Hay, Head of Policy, Creative PEC [https://pec.ac.uk/] Donate to the RSA: https://thersa.co/3ZyPOEa Become an RSA Events sponsor: https://utm.guru/ueemb Follow RSA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thersaorg/ Like RSA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theRSAorg/ Listen to RSA Events podcasts: https://bit.ly/35EyQYU Join our Fellowship: https://www.thersa.org/fellowship/join