Upcoming lectures
Professor Geoffrey Hinton
"Godfather of AI"
Nobel Laureate, Geoffrey Hinton, is one of the pioneering researchers who developed the neural networks and machine-learning that spawned artificial intelligence.
Join the conversation about the ethical dilemmas and existential risks of AI with the "Godfather of AI".
Event Details
Desautels Concert Hall, Fort Garry campus, Winnipeg, MB
Monday, April 13
2 to 3:30 p.m.; doors open at 1:30 p.m.
This is a free event.
Professor David Gerhard, Head of the Department of Computer Science will host a Q and A with Professor Hinton.
If you have questions about the upcoming lecture, please contact rsvp@umanitoba.ca.
About Geoffrey Hinton
Geoffrey Hinton
Geoffrey Hinton is University Professor Emeritus of computer science at the University of Toronto and co-founder of the Vector Institute. Known as the 'Godfather of AI', he is an innovator in deep learning and the field of computer vision, and was part of the deep learning artificial intelligence research team at Google Brain.
In 2023, he made headlines around the world when he left Google, warning that the AI technologies he helped create could destroy civilization.
Prior to sharing in the 2024 Noble Prize in Physics, Professor Hinton was part of a three-person group that received the Turing Award in 2019, often called “the Nobel Prize of computing,” for its work on neural networks.
“It's quite conceivable that humanity is just a passing phase in the evolution of intelligence," he said after winning the Turing Award, adding, "I wish I had a nice, simple solution I could push, but I don't. But I think it's very important that people get together and think hard about it.”
About the Knight Distinguished Lecturer Program
The Knight Distinguished Lecturer Program is supported by the R.G. and E.M. Knight Fund, which commemorates the lives and achievements of UM alumni Robert Greenwell Knight and Elizabeth Moore Knight, who graduated from the university in the early 1920s.
The fund supports visits from outstanding scholars, leaders, and innovators whose work contributes to intellectual, cultural, and societal advancement. The Knight Fund supports visits to the university by:
- Scholars in a variety of fields, including commerce, finance, economics, political studies, history, and literature;
- Leaders in the areas of commerce, industry, and government; and
- Outstanding achievers from other disciplines whose work has advanced or contributed to cultural, social, and economic development.
Past lecturers
BASS, Dr. Hyman
Professor of Mathematics
Columbia University
BOYLE, Dr. Phelim
Professor of Finance
Wilfrid Laurier University
BRENNAN, Dr. Geoffrey
Professor of Economics at Australian National University (ANU)
Research Professor of Political Science at Duke University and
Research Professor of Philosophy at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
BRZUSTOWSKI, Dr. Thomas A
RBC Professor
Telfer School of Management
CALAMAI, Peter
National Science Reporter
Toronto Star
CUMINGS, Bruce
Gustavus F. and Ann M. Swift Distinguished Service Professor in History
University of Chicago
DEGRASSE TYSON, Dr. Neil
Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium.
DIANGELO, Dr. Robin
Affiliate Associate Professor of Education
University of Washington
FISHBEIN, Dr. Martin
Harry C. Coles Jr. Distinguished Professor in Communication
and Director of Health Communication Program
Public Policy Center of the Annenberg School for Communication
University of Pennsylvania
ELSON, Dr. Diane
Professor
Centre for Research in Economic Sociology and Innovation
Department of Sociology
University of Essex
and Member of the Human Rights Centre
University of Essex
FONTAINE, Phil
National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations
FOX KELLER, Dr. Evelyn
Professor of History and Philosophy of Science
Department of Science, Technology, and Society
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
GARNEAU, Dr. Mark
Canada's First Astronaut in Space
HÖhle, Dr. Barbara
Professor for Psycholinguistics
Language Acquisition Department of Linguistics
University of Potsdam
KAMBA, Dr. Walter
Vice-Chancellor
University of Zimbabwe South Africa
LEGGETT, Sir Anthony
John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Chair
University of Illinois
Nobel Laureate in Physics
MARTIS, Eternity
Assistant Professor of Journalism
Toronto Metropolitan University
Journalist and author
MINDESS, Dr. Sidney
Professor of Civil Engineering
University of British Columbia
MUSTARD, Dr. Fraser
Founding President and Fellow
Canadian Institute for Advanced Research
PETROSKI, Dr. Henry
Professor of Civil Engineering
and Professor of History
Duke University
RICE, Dr. Eugene
Director of the Forum on Faculty Roles and Rewards
American Association for Higher Education
SINCLAIR, The Honourable Justice Murray
Chair
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
SORENSEN, Professor Vibeke
Professor of Film and Media Studies
and Fellow in the Center for Film and Media Research
Arizona State University
VON KLITZING, Dr. Klaus
Director at the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Physics Stuttgart
Germany
Nobel Laureate in Physics
WILLIAMS, Professor Jody
Founder, International Campaign to Ban Landmines
Founding Chair, Nobel Women’s Initiative and
Sam and Cele Keeper Endowed Professor of Peace and Social Justice
University of Houston
Nobel Peace Laureate
WILSON-RAYBOULD, The Honourable Jody
Former Minister of Justice and Attorney General Canada
Former Regional Chief of BC Assembly of First Nations
Author and lawyer
WOLFE, Dr. Alan
Professor of Political Science
and Director, Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life
Boston College
ZEMON DAVIS, Dr. Natalie
Professor of History
Princeton University
Welcoming Knight Distinguished Lecturers to UM
A coordinated selection process guides how speakers are identified. This ensures the series responds to emerging topics, attracts thought leaders to our campuses, broadens engagement with the UM community, and remains aligned with the original vision of Robert and Elizabeth Knight.
How speakers are selected
- External Relations leads the development of a list of potential speakers aligned with UM's mission and strategic priorities, informed by input from partners across the university, and ensures the spirit and legacy of the Knight Lecture remain central to recommendations.
- The Knight Lecturer Advisory Committee reviews the proposed speaker list and provides feedback to help ensure proposed speakers reflect the purpose and intent of the Knight Fund.
- A multi-year slate of potential speakers is approved, after which invitations are extended based on a variety of factors, such as speaker availability. External Relations then coordinates event planning.
Provide your input
Have an idea for a future Knight Distinguished Lecturer? Members of the UM community are encouraged to share suggestions.
Check back for an online idea submission form coming soon!