Bas Haring
(The Netherlands, 1968) is a philosopher, writer and professor of Public Understanding of Science at Leiden University. He obtained his PhD in Artificial Intelligence; his books deal with the interface between philosophy and science. His debut Kaas en de Evolutietheorie (Cheese and the Theory of Evolution), awarded the Golden Owl for children's literature, uses examples to explain the true meaning of the theory. Some eight books have since appeared, including De ijzeren wil (The Iron Will, about the brain, consciousness and thinking machines), Voor een echt succesvol leven (For a Truly Successful Life), Plastic pandas about disappearing nature, and Kunstmatige intelligentie is niet eng (Artificial Intelligence Isn't Scary).
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Archive available for: Bas Haring
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Chat GPT - The New Bestseller Author
Humans and machines always seemed to reinforce each other. Since the advent of AI and a tool such as Chat GPT, the relationship between humans and machines has been on edge. What is the human voice? And what does AI's influence on the human voice mean for literature? Is ChatGPT a friend or foe for authors?
Bas Haring opens this event with a spoken essay addressing artificial intelligence and what it means for humans, and writers in particular.
Learn more about the possibilities and impossibilities of AI and ChatGPT in a conversation between writer Hanna Bervoets, who follows the developments in the field of AI and has experimented with ChatGPT; digital strategist Ilyaz Nasrullah; and philosopher Bas Haring. Moderator Oumaima Hajri researches artificial intelligence and ethics.
Hanna Bervoets is a writer of seven novels, several screenplays, stories and essays. in 2017 she won the BNG Bank Literature Prize for Ivanov, and in the same year, the Frans Kellendonk Prize for her entire oeuvre. In her novels, she often investigates the influence of science and technology on humans. Her novel Leer me alles wat je weet (Teach me all you know) was published recently. Bervoets also writes essays and reviews about media and popular (Internet) culture.
Bas Haring is a philosopher who holds a PhD in artificial intelligence and is professor of Public Understanding of Science at Leiden University. In his latest book Kunstmatige intelligentie is niet eng (Artificial intelligence Isn't scary), he writes, among other things, that "computer smarts" will make our lives a lot easier. But it is also suspenseful, because what is in store for all of us?
Ilyaz Nasrullah stresses that he is first and foremost a human, and only then an IT graduate in Data Sciences from TU Delft and a consultant advising companies and governments on digital strategy and innovation. According to him, digital technology is too often seen as an end in itself, which loses sight of people. The columns for Trouw newspaper stand out because they make difficult topics easier to understand.
Oumaima Hajri uses her expertise at the intersection of technology, ethics and society. She currently holds the role of Senior International Advisor at the Dutch Personal Data Authority, where she works on AI, algorithms and European legislation. She is also engaged in decolonisation and demystification of AI at the University of Cambridge, aiming to stop the negative impact of digitalisation on society, especially vulnerable minorities. She holds a BSc in International Relations, an MSc in Data Science & Society and is a board member at Public Spaces. She is also the initiator of the Alliance Against Military AI and co-founder of the AI Better World platform.
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The world, the writer and the philosopher
Does it make any difference to the world what a writer does? Can he write autonomous and avoid the expectations of the outside world, or does he have to take a position concerning social reality? P.F. Thomese opens the debate with a plea for the independent mind, for the autonomous, introvert writer. His opponent is the young philosopher Bas Haring, who by actively adressing a wider audience tries to make philosophy part of daily life. Dutch spoken.
