Join renowned computer scientist Neil Lawrence for a conversation with MIT Professor David Mindell on Lawrence's new book, The Atomic Human: What Makes Us Unique in the Age of AI.

The greatest fear of AI is not that it rules our digital lives but that it displaces human intelligence entirely. If artificial intelligence takes over decision-making what, then, is unique and irreplaceable about human intelligence? The Atomic Human is a journey of discovery to the core of what it is to be human, in search of the qualities that cannot be replaced by the machine.

Lawrence brings a timely, fresh perspective to this new, emerging era, recounting his personal journey to understand the riddle of intelligence. By understanding the essential element of what makes us human — the "atomic human" — Lawrence shows how AI can enable us to choose the future we want.

Copies of The Atomic Human will be available for purchase onsite from the MIT Coop.

Join Rich Pell, author of This Is NOT An Artifact: Selections From the Center for Postnatural History, for a conversation with Boston Globe Editor Anna Kuchment.

The manipulation of life is one of the oldest and most popularly neglected forms of cultural production. Yet it is evident in prehistoric cave dwellings, organic vegetable gardens, concentrated animal feeding operations, and myriad other sites and scenes. PostNatural History is the study of the origins, habitats, and evolution of organisms that have been intentionally altered by humans through captivity, breeding, or engineering. These lifeforms relay stories that challenge and transform our understanding of human culture.

This Is NOT An Artifact catalogs 15 years of investigation by the Center for PostNatural History. Featuring essays and photography by founder Rich Pell, and a catalog of PostNatural organisms featuring contributions by Center for Genomic Gastronomy, Terike Haapoja & Laura Gustafsson, Steve Rowell, Nicholas Daly, Ian Nagoski, Roderick Williams, and Oron Catts & Ionat Zurr.

This program is presented as part of the Cambridge Science Festival. The MIT Museum is free during the Cambridge Science Festival.

Interested in attending? Letting us know is strongly encouraged!

You’ll be the first to receive reminders and other details for this event. Please note that signing up does not reserve a seat. Seating is first come, first served; please arrive early. Doors will open 30 minutes prior to start time.

Join MIT Professor and Solvable author Susan Solomon and atmospheric scientist Noelle Selin to explore a compelling and pragmatic argument: solutions to yesterday's environmental problems reveal today's path forward.

We solved planet-threatening problems before and we can do it again. Susan Solomon knows firsthand what those solutions entail. She first gained international fame as the leader of an expedition to Antarctica in 1986, making discoveries that were key to healing the damaged ozone layer. She saw a path — from scientific and public awareness to political engagement, international agreement, industry involvement, and effective action. Solomon, an atmospheric scientist and award-winning author, connects this career-defining triumph to the inside stories of other past environmental victories — against ozone depletion, smog, pesticides, and lead — to extract the essential elements of what makes change possible.

Solvable is a book for anyone who has ever despaired about the climate crisis. As Solomon reminds us, doom and gloom get us nowhere, and idealism will only take us so far. The heroes in these stories range from angry mothers to gang members turned social activists, to upset Long Island birdwatchers to iconoclastic scientists (often women) to brilliant legislative craftsmen. Solomon's authoritative point of view is an inspiration, a reality check, a road map, and a much-needed dose of realism. The problems facing our planet are Solvable. Solomon shows us.

Copies of Solvable will be available for purchase onsite from the MIT Press Bookstore.

Free with Museum admission.

Leading robotics and computer scientist Daniela Rus, MIT Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics David Mindell, and science writer Gregory Mone explore how we can use a new generation of smart machines to help humankind.

There is a robotics revolution underway. A record 3.1 million robots are working in factories right now, doing everything from assembling computers to packing goods and monitoring air quality and performance. A far greater number of smart machines impact our lives in countless other ways ―improving the precision of surgeons, cleaning our homes, extending our reach to distant worlds―and we’re on the cusp of even more exciting opportunities.

Join The Heart and the Chip authors Daniela Rus and Gregory Mone for a conversation on the interconnected fields of robotics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. The discussion will be moderated by David Mindell.

Copies of The Heart and the Chip will be available for purchase onsite from the MIT Press Bookstore.

Join us for an engaging talk with MIT Senseable City Lab co-founder Carlo Ratti and Harvard architecture historian Antoine Picon as they discuss their new book Atlas of the Senseable City. Learn how the growth of digital mapping, spurred by sensing technologies, is affecting cities and daily lives. The program will be moderated by Nicholas de Monchaux.

Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing after the event.

And while at the Museum, don't miss the Mapping the [In]visible installation now on view.