The AI Tension —
Implementation vs Existential Risk
Artificial intelligence is advancing rapidly, and with it comes a growing tension: how should we build it — and what happens if we get it wrong? This month’s Christchurch AI meetup brings together two perspectives that rarely share the same stage: practical implementation frameworks, and the existential risk case for taking AI danger seriously.
The Talks
Beyond Prompting: Multi-Dimensional AI Literacy and New Operating Models for the AI Era
Dr Elsamari Botha — Beyond Prompting: Multi-Dimensional AI Literacy and New Operating Models for the AI Era
AI is already being deployed across industries — but implementation is not just technical. It’s organisational, ethical, and strategic. The integration of AI into organizations represents more than a technological upgrade; it demands a transformation in how we work, decide, and deliver value.
In this session, Dr Elsamari will define what multi-dimensional AI literacy really means beyond prompting, present frameworks for building AI capability across organisations, explore new operating models for the AI era, and discuss the skills employees need to thrive in AI-enabled contexts.
The Doom Thesis — Why “If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies”
Hazel Shanks — The Doom Thesis
What if the biggest risk isn’t misuse — but success? Hazel introduces the Doom Thesis: the general argument for existential risk from advanced AI.
Together, we will explore the plans to build superintelligence at AI labs, the core argument behind the doomer perspective, whether current governance approaches are enough, what it would actually mean to pause or restrict AI development, and whether the Yudkowsky book is worth reading.
Who Should Come
- Business leaders responsible for AI strategy and implementation
- People interested in AI governance, safety, and existential risk
- Educators and trainers building AI literacy programmes
- Anyone curious about what’s at stake as AI capabilities continue to accelerate
- The curious — implementation and risk affect every serious AI user
Format
Doors open at 5:30 PM for networking. Talks begin at 6:00 PM. Q&A and further networking until 8:00 PM. Free to attend — no ticket required on the door.