Artificial Intelligence (AI) is constantly in the news with stories of promise and peril. Political leaders have declared it a national priority, the global high tech industry is racing AI apps to markets and policy and governance implications of AI are in their infancy. We will explore where this is all heading.

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We will begin with some definitions and a bit of history behind the rise of AI. The talk will then place AI in the context of being a potentially disruptive technology on society. This will lead to a discussion about ethics and moral issues regarding the development and use of aspects of AI as a dual-use technology. Time permitting, the role of AI in defense and security will be used as an example for appreciating the complexity and ethical issues brought on by AI. We will then turn to the role of the engineer in this new world being enabled by AI.

Finally, we will review potential governance and policy issues and options to address the rapid unchecked development and application of AI within society at large; and, ultimately end with a precautionary note.