Recent 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.
On April 13, Professor Hinton shared his perspectives on the ethical dilemmas and existential risks of AI.
Following the lecture, Professor David Gerhard, Head of the Department of Computer Science hosted a Q and A with Professor Hinton, including questions from the audience.
The Q and A portion of the event was video recorded and will be available soon on UM's YouTube channel. Check back for the link.
If you have questions or comments about the 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.
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 at any time through the webform below.