Neural networks in everyday life: new practices and risks
The Representative Office of St Petersburg University invites you to an online lecture titled "Neural networks in everyday life: new practices and risks", delivered by Diana Budko, Candidate of Political Sciences and Associate Professor at the Department of Political Institutions and Applied Political Research, St Petersburg University.
Neural networks have rapidly become an integral part of our daily lives. Originally developed in the 1940s and 1950s as an attempt to mimic the human brain, they have evolved from a scientific concept to modern bots and applications accessible to every user. How can we navigate a world shaped by generative technologies, and what should we pay particular attention to?
Today, neural networks are used in countless ways to perform tasks ranging from planning dinner menus to assisting in the writing of scientific papers on palaeontology. But this phenomenon also carries hidden risks, such as spreading misinformation or distorting facts about the world around us.
At the same time, neural networks are evolving at an astonishing rate, opening up new possibilities for their application. For example, modern algorithms are helping to automate complex business processes, improve disease diagnosis and even create works of art that are difficult to distinguish from those created by humans. But it’s important to remember that such technologies must be used responsibly, as they can have a significant impact on social and ethical norms.
How can we harness the potential of neural networks for the benefit of society while avoiding their negative consequences and maintaining control over the technologies of the future?
Lecturer
Diana Budko’s research interests span a wide range of topics including digital governance, political culture and anthropology. Her publications and academic presentations deal with political mythology, folklore, mass culture, cultural policy and digitalisation.
Budko teaches courses on political humour, internet folklore, image studies, political discourse, media convergence and media ethics. She also supervises undergraduate and postgraduate research projects.
The lecture is part of the celebrations marking the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University — Russia’s oldest university. The event will be held online in Russian with simultaneous Spanish translation.