Apocalyptic warnings about artificial intelligence now dominate global news. A Guardian Live livestream event on Thursday 15 October 2026, from 7.30pm to 9pm (BST), will bring together AI researchers, ethicists and policy experts to examine how to separate facts from speculation.
Examining the Credibility of Apocalyptic Predictions
Recent claims from AI researchers have brought concerns about superintelligence into mainstream political debate. The panel will interrogate how credible these apocalyptic predictions are and whether AI companies are genuinely losing control of the technology.
The discussion will also address whether these warnings distract from harms already unfolding, including misinformation, cybercrime, job displacement and the concentration of corporate power.
Expert Panel and Key Speakers
The event will be chaired by the Guardian's global technology editor, Dan Milmo, and will feature Professor Dame Wendy Hall from the University of Southampton, with more speakers to be announced.
The panel will examine where experts agree and disagree, interrogate the claims and counterclaims about the risks and calls to slow down development, and explore crucial steps governments and tech companies must take now to help safely navigate the AI revolution.
Event Details and Accessibility
The event is livestream only. If the live event is missed, a recording will be sent to attendees and will be available for four weeks. Closed captions will be available.
The event will be hosted on the third-party live streaming platform Vimeo. By proceeding, attendees agree to the Guardian Live events Terms and Conditions.
