A. C. Grayling - The Frontiers of Knowledge

Newcastle Writers Festival

#Arts #Newcastle Writers Festival

1:14:43

Artificial intelligence is evolving at an unprecedented pace—what does that mean for the future of technology, venture capital, business, and even our understanding of ourselves? Award-winning journalist and writer Anil Ananthaswamy joins us for our latest episode to discuss his latest book Why Machines Learn: The Elegant Math Behind Modern AI . Anil helps us explore the journey and many breakthroughs that have propelled machine learning from simple perceptrons to the sophisticated algorithms shaping today’s AI revolution, powering GPT and other models. The discussion aims to demystify some of the underlying math that powers modern machine learning to help everyone grasp this technology impacting our lives, even if your last math class was in high school. Anil walks us through the power of scaling laws, the shift from training to inference optimization, and the debate among AI’s pioneers about the road to AGI—should we be concerned, or are we still missing key pieces of the puzzle? The conversation also delves into AI’s philosophical implications—could understanding how machines learn help us better understand ourselves? And what challenges remain before AI systems can truly operate with agency? If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Sign up for our newsletter at techsurgepodcast.com for exclusive insights and updates on upcoming TechSurge Live Summits. Links: Read Why Machines Learn, Anil’s latest book on the math behind AI https://www.amazon.com/Why-Machines-Learn-Elegant-Behind/dp/0593185749 Learn more about Anil Ananthaswamy’s work and writing https://anilananthaswamy.com/ Watch Anil Ananthaswamy’s TED Talk on AI and intelligence https://www.ted.com/speakers/anil_ananthaswamy Discover the MIT Knight Science Journalism Fellowship that shaped Anil’s AI research https://ksj.mit.edu/ Understand the Perceptron, the foundation of neural networks https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perceptron Read about the Perceptron Convergence Theorem and its significance https://www.nature.com/articles/323533a0…

hace 4 años 54:28

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Eminent British philosopher A. C. Grayling discusses the fields of knowledge that have opened up with new methods and tools of inquiry – including cutting-edge physics, humanity’s very ancient history before Greece and Rome, and what we now know about the mind and the brain. Hosted by Newcastle philosopher and author Russell Blackford.

The Frontiers of Knowledge: What We Now Know About Science, History, and the Mind is published by Penguin Random House Australia. Buy your copy from the Festival's bookstore, MacLean's Booksellers.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

100 episodios

Newcastle Writers Festival

A. C. Grayling - The Frontiers of Knowledge

Newcastle Writers Festival

published hace 4 años

MP3•Episodio en casa

The Frontiers of Knowledge: What We Now Know About Science, History, and the Mind is published by Penguin Random House Australia. Buy your copy from the Festival's bookstore, MacLean's Booksellers.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

100 episodios

#Arts #Newcastle Writers Festival

Todos los episodios

Newcastle Writers Festival

1
Program for Saturday 5 April 2025 11:15

hace 18 días11:15

11:15

ABC Newcastle's Dan Cox reads the 2025 program for 5 April. This initiative is part of Newcastle Writers Festival's Disability Inclusion Action Plan and is funded by Create NSW. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newcastle Writers Festival

1
Program for Sunday 6 April 2025 8:30

hace 18 días8:30

8:30

ABC Newcastle's Dan Cox reads the 2025 program for 6 April. This initiative is part of Newcastle Writers Festival's Disability Inclusion Action Plan and is funded by Create NSW. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newcastle Writers Festival

1
Program for Wed 2 to Fri 4 April 2025 1:43

hace 18 días1:43

1:43

ABC Newcastle's Dan Cox reads the 2025 program for 2 to 4 April. This initiative is part of Newcastle Writers Festival's Disability Inclusion Action Plan and is funded by Create NSW. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newcastle Writers Festival

1
Jodi Picoult - By Any Other Name 56:14

hace 13 weeks56:14

56:14

In October, Newcastle Writers Festival hosted a special event with best-selling US writer Jodi Picoult. Mamamia executive editor Jessie Stephens hosted the conversation, which centred on Jodi's well-researched and imaginative new book By Any Other Name about two women, living 400 years apart, who aspire to be playwrights and the battles they must fight for recognition. Jodi speaks about the myths surrounding Shakespeare, the challenges of being a female artists, and her extensive research. Thank you to our partner University of Newcastle, Allen & Unwin, and podcast funder Create NSW . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Newcastle Writers Festival

1
Kasey Chambers - Lessons I've Learnt 1:09:31

hace 13 weeks1:09:31

1:09:31

In November, Newcastle Writers Festival hosted a special event with ARIA-winning musician and songwriter Kasey Chambers at the University of Newcastle's Conservatorium of Music. Danni Carr, Kasey's friend and host of the acclaimed podcast How I Quit Alcohol , hosted the conversation about her new memoir Just Don't Be a D**khead and Other Profound Things I've Learnt! , which features compelling stories, rock-solid life lessons and heartfelt observations . Kasey also performed three songs with Brandon Dodd. Thank you to our major partner The University of Newcastle , publisher Hardie Grant Books , and podcast series funder Create NSW . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Newcastle Writers Festival

1
Tim Winton in Conversation 1:00:44

hace 13 weeks1:00:44

1:00:44

In October 2024, Newcastle Writers Festival hosted a special event with acclaimed Australian writer Tim Winton. Festival director Rosemarie Milsom hosted the conversation which centred on Tim's most recent novel Juice , described by Tara June Winch as a 'masterful story for the ages'. Tim speaks about its central theme of climate devastation and contemplates whether a book can change the world. Thank you to presenting partner University of Newcastle . This podcast series is supported by Create NSW . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Newcastle Writers Festival

1
Susie Anderson, Sara M Saleh and Rob Waters – Writing Country and Connection 1:02:40

hace 24 weeks1:02:40

1:02:40

Poets Susie Anderson , Sara M Saleh and Rob Waters discuss the interconnection between identity and creativity with Magdalena Ball . This conversation was recorded at the 2024 Newcastle Writers Festival. The Stories to You podcast series is supported by Create NSW . If you would like to contribute to the valuable work of the festival in fostering a culture of reading and writing, please consider a tax-deductible donation . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Newcastle Writers Festival

1
Hannah Ferguson - Biting Back 1:02:26

hace 25 weeks1:02:26

1:02:26

Hannah Ferguson co-founded an independent news commentary platform at a time when the world needed it most. In 2020, Cheek Media Co. quickly established itself as the go-to platform for daring feminist opinions and progressive perspectives on everything from right-wing politics to overcoming taboos around sex and pleasure. The mission? To provoke conversation and inspire meaningful social change. In Hannah’s memoir, Bite Back , she tells the whole story – and more. Hosted by Maddison Connaughton . This conversation was recorded at the 2024 Newcastle Writers Festival. The Stories to You podcast series is supported by Create NSW . If you would like to contribute to the valuable work of the festival in fostering a culture of reading and writing, please consider a tax-deductible donation . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Newcastle Writers Festival

1
Russell Blackford – The Rise and Fall of Toleration 1:03:39

hace 26 weeks1:03:39

1:03:39

In his new book, How We Became Post-Liberal , Newcastle philosopher and legal scholar Russell Blackford examines how Western liberal democracies became nations where traditional liberal principles of toleration, individual liberty and freedom of speech are frequently dismissed to support conservative policies. He speaks to The Ethics Centre 's Simon Longstaff about why liberalism’s ideas and language are still worth saving. This conversation was recorded at the 2024 Newcastle Writers Festival. The Stories to You podcast series is supported by Create NSW . If you would like to contribute to the valuable work of the festival in fostering a culture of reading and writing, please consider a tax-deductible donation . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Newcastle Writers Festival

1
Brenda Matthews – The Last Daughter 53:04

hace 27 weeks53:04

53:04

The book and film The Last Daughter centre on Brenda Matthew ’s life journey, and how she reconciled both halves of her history; being raised by a white foster family, before being returned to her Aboriginal family. Brenda shares her story with Melissa Lucashenko . This conversation was recorded at the 2024 Newcastle Writers Festival. The Stories to You podcast series is supported by Create NSW . If you would like to contribute to the valuable work of the festival in fostering a culture of reading and writing, please consider a tax-deductible donation . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Newcastle Writers Festival

1
Bharat Nalluri – Boy Conquers Universe 1:03:58

hace 28 weeks1:03:58

1:03:58

The Netflix adaptation of Trent Dalton’s much-loved novel Boy Swallows Universe has been applauded by the book’s loyal fans, but no one could have predicted its international success. Meet the Newcastle-based BAFTA and Emmy-nominated director, Bharat Nalluri, who helped bring this very Australian story to life for a global audience. Hosted by Rosemarie Milsom. This conversation was recorded at the 2024 Newcastle Writers Festival. The Stories to You podcast series is supported by Create NSW . If you would like to contribute to the valuable work of the festival in fostering a culture of reading and writing, please consider a tax-deductible donation . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Newcastle Writers Festival

1
Graham Akhurst, Kirli Saunders and Melanie Saward – Bright Young Things 57:06

hace 29 weeks57:06

57:06

It is the desire of many readers to see themselves reflected on the page, especially when their faces and voices have been excluded from the dominant narrative. Graham Akhurst , Kirli Saunders and Melanie Saward discuss writing First Nations characters in fiction for – and about – young people. Hosted by Yvette Henry Holt . This conversation was recorded at the 2024 Newcastle Writers Festival. The Stories to You podcast series is supported by Create NSW . If you would like to contribute to the valuable work of the festival in fostering a culture of reading and writing, please consider a tax-deductible donation . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Newcastle Writers Festival

1
Emily Perkins, Megan Rogers, and Christos Tsiolkas - Middle Age as Coming of Age 53:53

hace 30 weeks53:53

53:53

In their recent fiction, Emily Perkins , Megan Rogers and Christos Tsiolkas created characters at a crossroads, disrupting the traditional narrative of ‘coming of age’ as an experience of youth. They discuss belonging, change, and the perennial journey of ‘growing up’ with Ashley Hay . This conversation was recorded at the 2024 Newcastle Writers Festival. The Stories to You podcast series is supported by Create NSW . If you would like to contribute to the valuable work of the festival in fostering a culture of reading and writing, please consider a tax-deductible donation . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Newcastle Writers Festival

1
Shankari Chandran - Miles Franklin Award winner 1:03:15

hace 31 weeks1:03:15

1:03:15

From being told her books ‘weren’t Australian enough’, to winning the 2023 Miles Franklin Literary Award for her third novel Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens , Shankari Chandran ’s writing journey has been anything but linear. She speaks with Ailsa Piper about family and memory, and the stories that shape who we become. This conversation was recorded at the 2024 Newcastle Writers Festival. The Stories to You podcast series is supported by Create NSW . If you would like to contribute to the valuable work of the festival in fostering a culture of reading and writing, please consider a tax-deductible donation . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Newcastle Writers Festival

1
Bri Lee - Author, Academic, Activist 57:22

hace 32 weeks57:22