Large language models (LLMs) are a powerful form of artificial intelligence (AI) that’s revolutionizing the way people interact with information.

An upcoming public talk will explore the capabilities, limitations and ethical challenges of these AI technologies and examine their impact on truth and society in the digital age.

In Search of Truth: How large language models are shaping our reality (and how we are shaping theirs!) will take place Friday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre Recital Hall in St. Catharines.

The talk will be led by Brock University Assistant Professor of Computer Science Ali Emami, whose research explores various facets of LLMs and their impact on society. He will share stories and examples from his personal life and his academic work, and he aims to explain the mechanics behind LLMs in an easy-to-understand way.

LLMs synthesize vast amounts of data — which often includes web content — to generate responses to prompts, says Emami. Sometimes the output is “glaringly problematic,” while other times it is “impressively insightful.”

Ali Emami, Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Brock University, will lead a public talk on the societal impact of artificial intelligence on Friday, Nov. 1.

“We can use LLMs to interrogate and probe for information, and while we think we’re probing a machine, we’re actually probing society,” he says. “LLMs act as mirrors, providing us a reflection of ourselves.”

One area of Emami’s research examines how these models can be used to analyze content from different eras, text sources and cultures to potentially reveal historical biases and societal shifts.

“LLMs can act as a lens into present and past perceptions and attitudes,” he says. “This allows us to gain insights into different time periods, cultural perspectives and information sources in ways we couldn’t before. They can teach us valuable lessons about societal evolution and human diversity.”

Additionally, Emami’s research addresses the misalignment between LLM outputs and human behaviours, working towards more accurate and ethical AI responses. He also investigates the positive applications of LLMs, such as creating diverse and personalized stories for readers from all backgrounds.

“My research team is exploring how LLMs can be harnessed for societal benefit while also critically examining their limitations and potential risks,” he says.

Emami’s talk is among several community engagements in which Brock University’s Faculty of Mathematics and Science has partnered with the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre to showcase topics in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

“Informative public lectures, such as the talk Dr. Emami is leading, is one of many ways we’re making STEM more accessible to our local community,” says Peter Berg, Dean, Faculty of Mathematics and Science at Brock.

“Artificial intelligence is a hot topic many people are curious about. It’s my hope people will leave the presentation with an appreciation for what AI can potentially achieve, but also what its limitations and biases might be,” he says.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Dr. Emami and Brock’s Faculty of Mathematics and Science to help deepen our collective understanding of LLMs and AI and their complex impacts on society and in people’s daily lives,” says Sara Palmieri, Director of Programming and Marketing at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre. “Art and science often go hand in hand. Both artists and scientists look at the world from unique perspectives and seek to share their interpretations with others.”

Tickets for the event are pay-what-you-can, with a suggested price of $20. Visit the FirstOntario Performing Arts website to learn more.