Description
In an age where artificial intelligence is transforming the landscape of security and surveillance, this compelling discussion brings together two leading voices at the heart of the debate.
Dr Hassan Ugail, a renowned AI and biometrics expert whose groundbreaking work has been used in high-profile criminal investigations, offers deep insight into the power and potential of facial recognition technology. Joining him is Jake Hurfurt from Big Brother Watch, a prominent civil liberties campaigner who has led national efforts to expose the unchecked use of facial recognition by police and government agencies.
Together, they will explore the complex balance between public safety and personal privacy, questioning where we draw the line in a world of increasing digital oversight. Expect an eye-opening conversation filled with real-world examples, frontline research, and urgent ethical questions.
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About the Speakers
Professor Hassan Ugail
Professor Hassan Ugail is the director of the Centre for Visual Computing and Intelligent Systems at the University of Bradford in the UK. He is a renowned computer scientist in the area of visual computing and artificial intelligence (AI). He is an advocate of AI for helping to tackle real-world issues in the areas of biometrics, digital health, innovative engineering, and sustainable societies in general. More specifically, he works in the area of human biometrics, especially the development of cutting-edge AI solutions for biometric face recognition and analysis. His work in this area includes helping to unravel the real identity of the two Russian spies at the heart of the Salisbury Novichok poisoning case – one of the biggest international stories of 2018.
Jake Hurfurt (Big Brother Watch)
Jake Hurfurt is Head of Research and Investigations at Big Brother Watch, leading the campaign group’s groundbreaking investigations. relying on open-source tools, public records and transparency requests. These have covered everything from the role of AI & algorithms in the welfare state, to the abuse of Whitehall and military ‘counter disinformation’ units for political surveillance, the rise of facial recognition and the use of phone tracking to drive advertising.
His investigations have generated headlines across the media, caught ministers lobbying independent regulators, led to calls for parliamentary inquiries and have been referenced at Prime Minister’s Questions. Before joining Big Brother Watch he was a national newspaper journalist, with major scoops including exposing Theresa May’s dinner with the wife of a Russian oligarch and how millions of pounds of PPE contracts were given to questionable figures during the pandemic. “
About the Chair
Jared Shurin
Jared Shurin is the editor of The Big Book of Cyberpunk, The Djinn Falls in Love, The Best of British Fantasy, and many others. He has spent over twenty years developing communications strategies for governments, global businesses and the third sector. His dedication to literature also includes founding a small press, serving as the director of a literary award, and editing the occasional anthology.
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