Tuesday, 3 October: Geoscience Society of New Zealand Hochstetter Lecture: Kaikōura Earthquake – Tales from the seafloor

Speaker: Dr. Lorna Strachan, University of Auckland

Date:  Tuesday, 3 October 2023 at 6.00pm

Venue: Napier Sailing Club, 63 West Quay, Ahuriri, Napier

Admission: Gold coin donation

In November 2016, a magnitude 7.8 Earthquake dramatically struck the coastal region of Kaikōura, indelibly impacting the residents of the region, changing the very shape of the coast and land, and generating a devastating tsunami. But what happened offshore? Did the seafloor respond in a similarly dramatic fashion? What are the effects 6 years later and how can we use the earthquake triggered deposits to understand past and future hazards?

Image from: https://woostergeologists.scotblogs.wooster.edu/2012/03/17/dead-sea-sediments-and-some-impressive-seismites/

In this talk, Lorna will use novel seafloor data and state of the art techniques to show the devastation wrought on the seafloor by the Kaikōura Earthquake. The sedimentary deposits from the Earthquake were used to build a narrative of the physical and biogenic processes in the minutes, hours, and years following the Earthquake and she will explain how we can use these exceptionally “geologically young” deposits to unravel past cataclysmic natural hazards to have a better understand of the interconnections between the land, people, and ocean floor in the future.

Dr. Lorna Strachan is a prominent Aotearoa-New Zealand researcher specializing in sedimentology, particularly in the deep ocean. Over the past decade, she has conducted research on modern and ancient marine sedimentary systems around Aotearoa, uniquely bridging terrestrial outcrops and deep ocean deposits. Her focus lies in understanding physics-based sedimentary processes on continental slopes, basin plains, and deep ocean sinks. For the last six years, she has concentrated on the Hikurangi Subduction Margin, collaborating with organizations such as IODP, NIWA, and GNS Science, alongside a team of post-graduate research students. Her work involves studying sediment deposits, dispersal pathways, and flow triggers, including earthquakes and large storms, with the Kaikōura Earthquake in 2016 serving as an important case study. Apart from her research, Lorna is passionate about teaching and science communication, having gained recognition for her innovative and research-led teaching methods. She is known for her captivating research talks and exceptional ability to simplify complex ideas for a wider audience. In 2020, she received the Geoscience Society of NZ People’s Choice Best Talk Award for her exciting presentation on turbidity currents and their implications.

(Version A) Tuesday, 31 October: AI Today – the Pioneering World of Contemporary Artificial Intelligence

Speaker: James Simmonds, founder of Webfox

Date: Tuesday, 31 October at 6.00pm

Venue: Napier Sailing Club, 63 West Quay, Ahuriri, Napier

Admission: Gold coin donation

If you think this one was generated by ChatGPT, please leave your opinion in the comments below.

Image generated by Midjourney

The realm of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has seen unprecedented advances in recent years, particularly with the advent of state-of-the-art Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT. These developments have redefined the boundaries of technology and ushered in a sea of opportunities for businesses to harness. But with such rapid transformations, how do businesses navigate and integrate these innovative tools?

Image offered by James Simmonds

In this session, James will delve into the contemporary landscape of AI, shedding light on its practical implications for business. As the founder of Webfox — a pioneering software development company based in Ahuriri — he has been at the forefront of harnessing the latest technological innovations to provide businesses with a competitive edge. Through Webfox, James and his team design, develop and support various solutions ranging from bespoke software and mobile applications to cutting-edge AI solutions.

The talk will journey through:

The Evolving Landscape: Understanding the swift paradigm shift in technology with the emergence of LLMs and how traditional approaches are fast becoming obsolete.

Practical Applications: James will showcase how Webfox and other innovators leverage these new tools, presenting real-world applications.

Navigating Challenges: Tackling the security aspects, dealing with the uncertainties of nascent technologies, and ensuring robust solutions.

A Little R&D: James will share a few intriguing R&D projects and run over high-level developer concepts behind some groundbreaking innovations the Webfox team is working on.

Image offered by James Simmonds

James Simmonds, a curious software developer turned curious business owner, has consistently been at the intersection of technology and business. Through Webfox, he has combined his developer acumen with a forward-thinking business approach, always seeking to harness the latest technology. James brings a blend of technical knowledge, practical strategies, and a passion for the AI era.

(Version B) Tuesday, 31 October: AI Today – The Pioneering World of Contemporary Artificial Intelligence

Speaker: James Simmonds, founder of Webfox

Date: Tuesday, 31 October at 6.00pm

Venue: Napier Sailing Club, 63 West Quay, Ahuriri, Napier

Admission: Gold coin donation

If you think this one was generated by ChatGPT, please leave your opinion in the comments below.

Image generated by Midjourney

In this lecture, James Simmonds will explore the rapidly evolving landscape of Artificial Intelligence (AI). He will highlight the transformative impact of state-of-the-art Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT on businesses and how they’re replacing traditional methods. As the founder of Webfox, an innovative software development company in Ahuriri, James will provide insights into practical AI applications and real-world solutions, touching on security challenges and the uncertainties associated with emerging technologies. Additionally, he’ll share intriguing R&D projects and developer concepts that Webfox is pioneering.

Image offered by James Simmonds

James Simmonds is the founder of Webfox, a leading software development company in Ahuriri. With a background in software development and a keen eye for business opportunities, James combines technical expertise with a forward-thinking approach. He is passionate about harnessing the latest AI technologies to empower businesses and has a strong track record in this space.

Thursday, 16 November: Fungi: A 55-Year Adventure in Mycology

Speaker: Eric McKenzie, Myclogist, LandCare Research

Date: Thursday, 16 November 2023 at 6.00pm

Venue: Napier Sailing Club, 63 West Quay, Ahuriri, Napier

Admission: Gold coin donation

Image offered by Eric

Join us on a captivating journey through five and a half decades of studying microfungi, where adventure meets discovery. Explore the intriguing world of microfungi, which can impact both animals and plants. We’ll unravel questions like the consequences of fungicides on fungal ‘flora’ in sheep pastures, the dual influence of endophytic fungi in ryegrass on sheep and plants, the mysteries of chalkbrood disease in Samoan bees compared to those in New Zealand, and the personal repercussions of encountering rust fungus-infected plants. Discover how New Zealand’s fungi were meticulously examined following visits to remote islands, and why a book titled “Collect Fungi on Stamps” earned its place among the ‘Top 10 Weirdest Book Titles.’ Delve into the purpose behind collecting, identifying, and compiling plant disease lists for Pacific countries through extensive visits across the region. And finally, gain insights into consultancies and student supervision in South East Asia, which led to expeditions in India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and China. This presentation offers a glimpse into a truly adventurous and fulfilling career in mycology.

photo offer by Eric

Eric, a distinguished mycologist, spent over four decades as the curator of the NZ Fungal and Plant Disease Fungarium, which houses a unique collection of fungi in the Southern Hemisphere. He holds a BSc (Hons) from Massey University and a PhD from Cambridge University. Throughout his career, Eric conducted extensive research on microfungi in pastures and contributed significantly to New Zealand fungal systematics. He played a pivotal role in plant disease surveys across the Pacific Islands and provided consultancy services in South East Asia. Eric is a Highly Cited Researcher and continues to work on Rust Fungi of New Zealand even in retirement.

Generative AI – a lecture series in May and June 2023

Four lectures on this topical and important subject are being broadcast free of charge by the Faculty of Science, University of Auckland

Thursday, 11 May: 2023 Gibbons Online Lecture – AI and the New Creative Revolution

www.eventbrite.co.nz

The 2023 Gibbons Lectures series is intended to describe ongoing research in Computer Science to a wider public, organized by Faculty of Science, University of Auckland.

Tim Gibson, Stolen Glances Studio

Thursday 11 May, 6:30pm

Venue: Lib B15 Lecture Theatre General Library Basement, (109-B15) The University of Auckland 5 Alfred Street, Auckland CBD, register your place here.

This lecture will be available to livestream here.

Generative Artificial Intelligence like ChatGPT and its visual equivalents Dall-E, Midjourney and Stable Diffusion have shaken up the creative workforce, often producing industry level copywriting, editing, illustration and design at a fraction of the time and cost of a human worker. Their capabilities have set off a technological arm’s race at the world’s largest tech companies while simultaneously building a user base of enthusiasts faster than the most popular social media platforms.

What can Generative AI be used for, how powerful is it really, how could it be used ethically, and what impact will it have on our creative industries and the people who work for and engage with them?

What could a world look like where creativity is ‘free’? 

In this talk, Tim will showcase some of the current technologies’ capabilities, the hot takes and debates from within the creative industries and attempt to predict what is next for creative Generative Artificial Intelligence.

Tim Gibson is a Creative Director, Animator and Illustrator who has worked for companies big and small across film, television, comics, branding and packaging design. His work has appeared for Garage Project, Weta Workshop, Le Monde Diplomatique, Penguin Random-House, Te Papa Tongarewa and more.