Berwins Salon North speaker, Timandra Harkness

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Berwins Think Big around Big Data

Berwins is raising awareness around issues of Big Data for businesses and the upcoming changes to data protection law with a unique TED-style talk from one of the UK’s leading experts in the field.

As part of the Berwins Salon North series with Harrogate International Festivals, science writer and broadcaster, Timandra Harkness, will discuss the big issues around ‘big data’ in the first of the Berwins Salon North summer series on Thursday evening, 22 June.

The night will have an overall focus on the theme, Artificial Intelligence.

Harkness is the resident reporter on the social psychology series, The Human Zoo, and the writer and presenter of BBC Radio 4’s FutureProofing series and documentaries such as Data, Data Everywhere, and Personality Politic. As a journalist she writes for the Telegraph, Guardian, Sunday Times, Evening Standard, BBC Focus magazine, WIRED and Men’s Health.

Timandra will explain what exactly big data is, taking audiences on a whirlwind tour of how people are using big data today - from science to smart cities, business to politics. Berwins, is a leading authority on digital law and supports a global client base with advice and training on data protection obligations.

Paul Berwin, Head of Digital at Berwins, said: “Data protection can have an impact on businesses’ ways of working. We used to think of Artificial Intelligence as being like humans, but computer driven. Actually, it’s not; AI is driven by the aggregation of massive amounts of data, and its organisation and analysis. This data comes from us, from you and me, because we are leaking data to the data holders all the time. Willingly or unconsciously, we’re complicit in compromises where we allow Google, Facebook and others to help us in our lives, in return for giving them our data.” Paul added: “Data Protection law, and the upcoming General Data Protection Regulations, are intended to maintain the balance between privacy and sharing. It feels like an uneven fight; and after we’ve given up our data, what will AI be capable of?”

The night also features Arthur Miller, emeritus professor of history and philosophy of science at University College London, who will explore how Artificial Intelligence will shape creativity, and Alex Evans - Campaign Director at the global citizens’ movement Avaaz who has worked as a consultant for the US National Intelligence Council.

The Salon series continues with the theme ‘DIY’ on July 27, and ‘ISpy’ on September 7. SalonNorth: AI, Thursday 22 June, The Crown Hotel, Harrogate, 7.30pm.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Cause UK .

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