Tutor: Andrew Macfarlane
The course is designed to give attendees a feeling for the scope of the software that now runs our society. Currently all the attention is on AI and its querying capabilities. However it is a tiny fraction of the way software in banks, insurance, government, airlines, hospitals and on and on has become the source of expertise in our society. Every transaction you now make in any of these systems and many, many other systems means they can contact you endlessly with advertising, reminders, notifications and so on. Also you will never be forgotten.
Venue: 97 Creek St
Wednesday 9.00am - 10.30am. Classes start 16 July, finish 17 September.
Cost: $45 (prepaid), 9 weeks
Current Enrolments: 6 (capacity 9)
Advanced techniques such as artificial neural networks and large language models are the next set of advances. What these are and how they work needs to be understood. The huge array of systems is re-shaping society. Are we happier for it or are we being hedged in?
About the Tutor:
Andrew Macfarlane started off in mathematics ending with a research masters degree from UNSW.From there, like many of his generation, he contributed to the computerisation of business in New Zealand and Australia.
For five years he also taught business systems at degree level at Unitec Institute of Technology in Auckland.
Since retirement he completed a (mathematics) PhD in an area that includes information systems and large-scale concepts
such as cities and governance. He is a great believer in life-long learning.
If you are a U3A Brisbane member you may enrol in this class online using the Enrol button below. You will be asked to provide your membership number and name for identification.
If you wish to obtain further information about this class before enrolling, you may send a message to the tutor using the Send Enquiry Message button below.