Speaking this November, her lecture titled Mortal Humans, time machines, and a future with AI, will offer expert insight into the current state of AI, and investigate what that could mean for our future. Guests will also have the opportunity to ask Sarah their burning questions about AI, and explore how this new technology will impact us all.

Sarah is the founder and CEO of InspiredMinds, a global community of 220,000 high level experts in AI and emerging technology, which is regarded as one of the most influential groups in Artificial Intelligence globally. She also founded the World Summit AI, the world’s only industry-organized Tech Summit for AI. Having launched 21 technology products in 11 countries since 1996, Sarah has a renowned reputation for taking ideas from concept to market with subsequent significant growth globally.

She is an advisor to and speaker for the UN on Lethal Autonomous Weapons disarmament; a former chairperson of Women in AI, and founded ADA-AI, a not-for-profit organisation focusing on the democratisation of tech. She is also an advisor to the EU AI council and many more organisations in both the private and public sector.

Her specialism is in ensuring that emerging technology benefits underrepresented sectors of society and is a global advocate for women’s rights. In 2017, she lobbied on behalf of the all-girl Afghan Robotics team vs the Trump travel ban for which she was awarded Female Tech Entrepreneur of the Year. She also founded the first STEM school for girls in Kabul and is now working to build an online school for girls still in Afghanistan.

Canterbury Christ Church University’s Public Lecture series is designed to open knowledge and expertise up to the community, with free, public talks on a hugely diverse range of topics. Recent speakers have included Jo Brand, who discussed attitudes to and experiences of ageing, Robin Ince, who argued that reading enhances our empathy and understanding of one another, and Dame Sara Thornton, who dispelled myths around modern slavery.

Sarah Porter’s Public Lecture will be on Wednesday 22 November, 6pm, on the University’s Canterbury Campus.

The lecture is free but booking is essential. Find out more and book free tickets at www.canterbury.ac.uk/publiclectures .