New Scientist Live – crowned ‘Best Consumer Show of 2016’ by Exhibition News and ‘Event of The Year’ by the British Media Awards – is back for its second year at ExCeL London.
This festival of ideas and discovery runs over four days and will feature five immersive zones covering Humans, Engineering, Technology, Earth and Cosmos, plus a VIP area and main stage.
With 120 brilliant speakers, six action-packed stages, and over 100 unforgettable experiences, it touches on all areas of human life, and is a must-see event for anyone with an interest in how science and technology is shaping our society, our lives, and how we see the world around us.
Last year over 23,000 people attended the bustling launch event and the exhibition hall saw some of the biggest names in science, engineering, pharmaceuticals and energy, showing off their latest cutting-edge ideas and products – letting people see, hear, touch, smell and taste the future.
This year’s show will be even bigger and better, with some of the world’s most celebrated minds in science, such as Demis Hassabis, founder of Google’s DeepMind, The Handmaid’s Tale author Margaret Atwood, chef Heston Blumenthal, and naturalist Chris Packham sharing their latest work. Over 100 talks will cover everything from the future of human space travel, to understanding how genes influence our ability to speak, with a special guest beatboxer.
Margaret Atwood’s presentation will focus on the place of the imagination in our uncertain future. ‘Science, Fiction and the Future’ addresses the question, ‘in an increasingly dystopian world, what can the power of imagination do to help?’ She takes current ideas in science, and speculates as to what they will mean for our society and environment in the near future. In this talk Margaret discusses how science has influenced her life and her writing, and considers why her fiction is so often labelled dystopian.
The practical and ethical application of advances in AI is a hot topic across the world at the moment. New Scientist Live is pleased to announce a talk by neuroscientist and founder of Google’s DeepMind project, Demis Hassabis. Dr. Hassabis will be presenting on ‘The Future of AI’, drawing on his eclectic experiences as an AI researcher, neuroscientist and video game designer to discuss the fascinating relationship between cutting-edge AI research and our understanding of the human mind. He will also cover some of the exciting possibilities AI holds in the years to come.
Mike Sherrard, Event Director said: “New Scientist Live’s launch in 2016 revolutionised the field of science communications, bringing the big ideas shaping our world to a large group of intelligent, curious, and diverse group of people. We were privileged to open last year’s show with ESA astronaut Tim Peake, fresh from the International Space Station, and this year’s line-up promises to stimulate, surprise, challenge and amaze our visitors.”
Chris Packham, BBC presenter and naturalist, will share a series of his astonishing images, and charts a quest to reflect the pure beauty of the nature he has long loved and dreamed of encountering. Informative, thought-provoking and inevitably controversial, this fabulously entertaining romp is also fun for all the family and studded with his trademark quick-witted and irreverent humour. This show comes through the cameras and from the heart of one of the world’s most impassioned naturalists.
New Scientist Live welcomes teachers and students with a passion for science, and have made available group booking discounts at 50% off standard ticket price.
Find out more at newscientistlive.com
