The School of History, Religion and Philosophy and the School of Writing, Literature and Film are co-presenting The Machines Powering AI: Are Data Centers Worth the Cost? 

Hosted by PRAx, the event will take place on Jan. 13 at 5:30 pm in the Toomey Lobby of PRAx. Free tickets to the event can be reserved here. 

Alicia Patterson, an assistant professor of applied philosophy and Surabhi Balachander, an assistant professor for the School of Writing, Literature & Film, will facilitate a conversation with guest speaker Felicity Barringer. Barringer is the writer in residence at Stanford University’s Bill Lane Center for the American West, and a founding editor of its magazine, & the West. Surabhi also worked at the Bill Lane Center. 

Oregon State University Events website’s overview of what will be covered during the speaker’s time includes, “How do local communities cope with their environmental impact? What kind of new power generation will feed these voracious energy-eaters? And will their water use affect the rest of us?” 

This event is a part of the School of History, Philosophy and Religion’s Ideas Matter Series: The Ethical Challenges of AI, in connection to the PRAx annual theme for this school year. The PRAx theme is artificial intelligence and its connections to arts and humanities. Future events in this theme include Just AI: Speakers on Socially Responsible Technology, Invertigo Dance Theater: Formulae and Fairy Tales, and Urland Theatre Collective: Formerly Known As. All of these events are presented in winter and spring term and tickets can be purchased or reserved on PRAx website.