We are excited to announce the first installment of a new Think Tank series on the ethics of AI in collaboration with AUKSA (Austro-UK Science Alliance).

As Artificial Intelligence shifts from concept to daily reality, it is rapidly transforming not only how we work - but how we learn, communicate and make sense of the world. From education and media to justice and identity, the societal ripple effects of AI are unfolding faster than our frameworks for understanding them.

The topic of the evening is “AI & Us: Power, Perception, and the Shifting Social Fabric” - moving beyond the technical to focus on the human and societal dimensions of emerging AI technologies.

Expect a dynamic format featuring a concise keynote and a lively panel discussion with high-profile interdisciplinary speakers, researching fields including education, law, technology, and public policy.

Themes we’ll explore

• Who is being empowered by AI - and who is being left out?
• What happens when AI outpaces regulation?
• How is AI changing how we learn, teach, and trust?
• What are the real-world consequences of algorithmic bias?
• How do deep fakes and misinformation reshape our sense of reality?

Whether you’re a researcher, policymaker, educator, creative, or simply curious - this event invites you to join a cross-sector conversation about the future we are collectively building with AI.

**If this event is fully booked please email office@acflondon to request a space**

The Austro-UK Science Alliance (AUKSA) is a bilateral initiative that brings together Austrian scientists based in the UK and fosters closer collaboration between the Austrian and British research communities. It was launched in spring 2025 at the Austrian Ambassador's Residence London. AUKSA serves as a platform to showcase Austrian scientific excellence, strengthen international research partnerships and promote meaningful academia–industry exchange and knowledge transfer. Through curated events, strategic dialogues, and joint initiatives, AUKSA highlights Austria’s scientific contributions abroad while building lasting connections across disciplines and institutions.

AUKSA is supported by the Austrian Embassy, the Austrian Cultural Forum, the Austrian Business Agency, ASCINA and Advantage Austria.

If you are an Austrian researcher or scientist based or currently living in the UK, sign up to join the network here:

Join the Austro-UK Science Alliance

Associate Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn. Peter Knees is Associate Professor at the Faculty of Informatics at TU Wien and a Visiting Assistant Professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Music (Fall 2022). He holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from TU Wien and a PhD from Johannes Kepler University Linz. For nearly two decades, he has been a leading researcher in Music Information Retrieval, with contributions extending to multimedia and text information retrieval, recommender systems, and the digital arts. His work focuses on music search engines, recommender algorithms, and intelligent tools for music creation, combining artificial intelligence and creative practice. As UNESCO Chair for Digital Humanism, he addresses societal challenges of digital transformation, promoting responsible AI use, digital literacy, and a global perspective on technology’s impact. A proponent of the Digital Humanism initiative at TU Wien, he is committed to bridging technological innovation with ethical and human-centered values.

Prof. Dr. Nicole Brown is Associate Professor at University College London (UCL) and Director of Social Research & Practice and Education Ltd. At UCL she leads the module “Disabilities, Chronic Illnesses and Neurodivergences in Contemporary Society” and sits on the UCL Press editorial board. She previously served as Head of Research Ethics and Integrity at IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society, and was a member of the UCL Academic Board and Education Committee. An experienced academic head of learning and teaching, programme leader and module leader at UCL and London South Bank University, she brings expertise in research methods and pedagogy. Nicole holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of Kent and postgraduate qualifications. She is a Fellow and Senior Fellow of Advance HE, a UKCGE Recognised Research Supervisor and a Fellow of the RSA. Her research champions participatory, arts-based methods and marginalised voices.

Associate Prof. Dr. Kate Vredenburgh is an Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method at the London School of Economics. Her research spans the philosophy of social science, political philosophy, and the philosophy of AI, with a particular focus on the ethics of AI. From 2024–2028, she is Principal Investigator of a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship examining AI, worker autonomy, and the future of work, including how AI assistance shapes workplace practices. She also works on questions of explainable AI and algorithmic fairness. Beyond academia, Kate has advised private companies on AI ethics and spoken with senior leaders of major corporations about responsible AI and the challenges and opportunities of automation.

Kush Wadhwa is CEO of Trilateral Research, where he provides strategic direction for the development of ethical AI products to address complex societal challenges. He has built Trilateral from the ground up into a values-driven organisation of more than 150 staff with operations in the UK and Ireland and clients worldwide. An entrepreneur with extensive experience in founding and scaling businesses across multiple countries and sectors, Kush has also held leadership roles in consulting, product management, and technology development. He has delivered solutions to governments, intergovernmental organisations, humanitarian agencies, and global corporations including the White House OSTP, European Commission, UNHCR, NATO, Pfizer, Google, and MasterCard. A strong advocate for responsible AI, Kush promotes its use to drive positive societal impact as well as better commercial outcomes. He holds an MBA from NYU Stern and degrees in Electrical Engineering and English Literature from Stevens Institute of Technology.

Kenneth Damien is an award-winning technology lawyer and founder specialising in technology licensing, data privacy and AI. Currently on assignment at BlackRock via Re:Link (Linklaters), he acts as a Privacy and Technology SME in the Digital Enterprise Legal team and is a member of the BlackRock AI Working Group focusing on compliance and risk strategies. He has previously held roles at Google Cloud and SoftBank’s Vision Fund. He is also Co-Founder of the Future Impact Summit, an annual technology and social sciences conference hosted at the London School of Economics. Now in its third year, the summit has attracted 500+ attendees, showcasing panels and interactive experiences, including an AI “Crisis Simulation” exploring the geopolitics of AI through wargaming. He is the recipient of the Internet 2.0 “Outstanding Leadership” Award for contributions to technology and delivered his keynote Singularity Games: Upgrading Your Technology Risk Strategy in the AI Era in Dubai (Feb 2024).