Sorrento Writers’ Festival

Richard King and Toby Walsh with Seth Robinson

How humans might co-exist harmoniously with AI to achieve good is one of the most vexing questions of our age. Its positive impacts on education, science and medicine, research, climate and commerce are already part of our lives.  But what is the physical cost of digital intelligence? And how does it threaten our social and political fabric?

When journalist and former TV host Lisa Wilkinson first heard the story of Evelyn Marsden, a brave Australian nurse who was the only Australian survivor of the sinking of the Titanic in April, 1912, she was transfixed. The result is her new biography, The Titanic Story of Evelyn. 

Sarah Hamylton, Richard King and Kylie Soanes with Dan Ziffer

What positive roles can local organisations play in the climate change crisis? Must communities wait for governments to act? And might technology save the day?

Diana Thorp, Tom Trumble and Nadia Wheatley with Michael Cathcart

Our three authors spent years researching and exploring previously-unchartered World War Two history. Their discoveries – shocking and extraordinary events that occurred, and the heroes and villains they uncover – have resulted in three outstanding new war history books.

Elizabeth Finkel, Jane Montgomery Griffiths and Sean Scalmer with Inala Cooper

In recent times, technology, sciences and technical skills have been deeply connected with jobs for the future,  while humanities were undervalued and resource-starved. With the arrival of AI, perhaps it’s time to rethink  the value of critical thinking, creativity, historical and social analysis, and clear communication. Welcome back, history, literature, philosophy and civics! Our panel discusses.

This session is via video link with John Lyons joining us from Washington DC.