OUR world is rapidly becoming managed by artificial intelligence with chatbots already with us and humanoid robots shortly to be a part of our lives.

Can we control the world we are creating and manage the revolution we are creating?

Just maybe the dystopian Hollywood movies were right after all.

John Handby will be the guest speaker at St Mary's Church’s monthly talk on Wednesday, July 16, at 1pm.

Mr Handby has spent most of his career in the technology field managing large-scale change within Government and for major corporations, before becoming a senior advisor to various organisations and chief executive of a technology futures company.

He is a Fellow and former council member of the British Computer Society. His talk promises to be a challenging and stimulating critique of our changing world; the issues it presents for the future of our society, and indeed for the survival of our species.

Mr Handby says that there is a lot of excitement and enthusiasm about what AI has to offer in improved healthcare, driverless cars, taking the drudgery out of everyday tasks and offering all kinds of advances to make our lives easier.

Mr Handby warned: “However, rather less is heard about the fundamental challenges raised for our future as AI becomes centre stage in the operation of society and is embedded in advanced weapon systems.

“Whilst we can all marvel at what these new technologies make possible, no serious thought is being given to their implications for human society or how their development should be managed and controlled.

“The truth is we are about to be engulfed in an AI tsunami that will create a dystopian future unless world governments take effective action collectively.”

Why not grab yourself a lunch from town and come up to church from 12:30pm. Admission is free, but a retiring collection will be held.