07 May 2026, 17:30 – 19:00
What does AI mean for academia?
- LocationTrinity Hall Lecture Theatre, and online via livestream
- CostFree of charge
- Booking closing dateThursday, 07 May 2026 12:00pm
- Event typePanel discussion
Join Dr Rebecca Dell, Dr Boris Bolliet, and Alex Warnock-Smith (TH 2000) to discuss how academia is responding to AI. What are the opportunities for innovation in teaching and research? What are the risks in a world of automation and hallucination? And what does it mean for students and their future endeavours?
The event will also be available to watch online via livestream.
All are welcome at the drinks reception beforehand.
This is a hybrid event. You can book to attend in-person or online using the booking links.
Programme
17:30-17:45 Drinks reception in the Terrace Room
17:45-19:00 Panel Discussion in the Lecture Theatre
Chair
Mary Hockaday
Mary Hockaday is Master of Trinity Hall, where she studied English as an undergraduate. She was formerly Controller BBC World Service English and before that, from 2009-2014 she was Head of the BBC Newsroom, overseeing the BBC’s core news services on radio, television and online. Mary was Editor of BBC World Service News and Current Affairs from 2001 to 2006. She serves on the board of the British Library and is an Independent Non-executive Director with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Speaker
Dr Rebecca Dell
Rebecca Dell is a glaciologist based at the Scott Polar Research Institute within the Department of Geography. Her work focusses on the stability of Antarctic ice shelves. Rebecca uses remote sensing and machine learning to investigate ice-shelf stability, and works to improve and develop methods that automate more traditional techniques. In addition to this, Rebecca has two seasons of Antarctic Fieldwork experience, where she worked deep field on George VI Ice Shelf. Rebecca is also an Assistant Professor within the department of Geography, where she promotes pedagogical innovation in an era of rapid AI development.
Speaker
Dr Boris Bolliet
Boris’ research focuses mainly on the development of AI systems that can autonomously conduct scientific research. He is one of the three creators of Denario, an end-to-end framework for the automated and modular production and execution of scientific research projects across multiple domains, from Physics to Philosophy. Boris is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Physics, a Fellow of Trinity Hall and leads agentic AI research in the Infosys-Cambridge AI Centre.
Speaker
Alex Warnock-Smith (2000)
Booking and cost
There is no charge to attend, however, booking is required. Please note that bookings close at 12pm on Thursday 7 May.
If you are joining us online, you will receive an email by 16:00 on Thursday 7 May with a link and joining instructions. The livestream will begin at 17:45.
Trinity Hall Spotlights: AI
This event forms part of Trinity Hall Spotlights: AI, a series which will explore the rapidly evolving frontiers of Machine learning and Artificial Intelligence. What do we mean by AI, what are the opportunities and challenges it presents and how can we navigate the implications of this new technology? Through different academic, business and ethical perspectives, we hope you’ll gain insight into an innovation which is changing our world.
Photography
We like to take photographs at our alumni events to use in our digital and print communications. If you do not wish to have your photo taken, please let us know in advance or on the day.
Location
The Lecture Theatre, Trinity Hall, Trinity Lane, Cambridge, CB2 1TJ.
Please visit the Porters’ Lodge on arrival where they will direct you to the venue.
Cancellations
Please let us know as soon as possible if you find you are no longer able to attend, as we have limited capacity for this event.
Contact
If you have any queries, please contact us at developmentevents@trinhall.cam.ac.uk or call +44 (0)1223 763010. If you have any questions about events in general, please see our event FAQs.