Imagine a world where machines don’t just assist us, they rival or even surpass human intelligence. Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is no longer science fiction. Some experts believe it could become a reality within the next two to five years, a development that could transform industries, economies, and the very fabric of human life. Will AGI become humanity’s greatest ally, or its ultimate disruption?
The Bozeman Library Friends and Foundation will explore this question and more at the tenth annual SymBozium, “The Future of Intelligence – Are We Ready for AGI?”, on Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. at the Museum of the Rockies. This free, public event brings together leading experts to discuss both the opportunities and the existential risks of machines that can think, learn, and innovate like, or perhaps even better than, humans.
The conversation will feature Sarah Myers West, co-director of the AI Now Institute, who studies the societal and political impact of technology; Dr. John Sheppard, Distinguished Professor of Computer Science at Montana State University, whose research spans deep learning, evolutionary algorithms, and AI applications in healthcare and agriculture; and Charlie Warzel, contributing writer at The Atlantic, who investigates the intersection of technology, privacy, and society. Tim Lockie, founder of The Human Stack, who helps nonprofits adopt AI in practical and ethical ways, will moderate the conversation.
Since its inception in 2018, SymBozium has tackled complex topics with diverse perspectives, earning national recognition in 2019 with the Baker & Taylor Award from United for Libraries. Past topics have ranged from water policy to immigration, consistently engaging the community in thought-provoking dialogue.
“SymBozium is about more than information—it’s about engaging our community in the big questions that will shape our future,” said Janay Johnson, Executive Director of the Bozeman Library Friends and Foundation. “This year, the conversation around AGI is both urgent and fascinating, and we invite everyone to join us.”
This event is sponsored by Element Bozeman and is free and open to the public.
