On 1 April 2025, Professor Taha Yasseri, the Workday Professor of Technology and Society, delivered his sold-out inaugural lecture at the Thomas Davis Theatre, Arts Building, Trinity College Dublin.
Titled ‘The Human in the Machine: Navigating the Myths and Realities of AI Towards a Future Where We Shape Technology Responsibly’, the lecture explored the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in modern society, highlighting both its opportunities and challenges.
Addressing his mixed audience, Professor Yasseri examined common misconceptions about AI and its societal implications. He expressed his enthusiasm for the occasion, stating, “I truly enjoyed delivering my inaugural lecture. It was a unique opportunity to engage with colleagues, students, industry professionals, and members of our communities about who we are and what we care about—both personally and academically. It allowed me to reflect on what drives us as scientists and what keeps us up at night as human beings.”
A key theme of his address was the tendency to anthropomorphise AI, a practice that can reinforce biases not only in human-machine interactions but also in broader social contexts. “The technological landscape of our societies is evolving rapidly, and it is crucial that we are prepared to embrace change. What empowers us in this journey is knowledge. As a member of the academic community and the first Chair of Technology and Society in Ireland, I see it as my responsibility to generate and disseminate this knowledge, shape policy, and enrich public discourse. Giving my inaugural lecture was, I hope, a small step in that direction,” he said.
Professor Yasseri also highlighted the influence of media and commercial interests in shaping public perceptions of AI. “Much of the discourse is driven by Hollywood and short-sighted commercial interests. This can be problematic as public narratives ultimately shape our policies and regulations. At the Centre for the Sociology of Humans and Machines, we strive to demystify AI and present a more realistic picture of what these technologies are, what they can and cannot do, and what we must understand and do to maximise their benefits.”
A leading figure in computational social science and digital sociology, Professor Yasseri serves as the inaugural Workday Professor of Technology and Society at both Trinity College Dublin and Technological University Dublin. He also directs the TCD-TU Dublin Joint Centre for the Sociology of Humans and Machines (SOHAM), where his research focuses on the intersection of technology, society, and policy.
The event was chaired by Carmel O'Sullivan, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, with notable attendees including Trinity’s Provost, Linda Doyle, Head of the School of Social Sciences and Philosophy, Paul O'Grady, and Head of the Department of Sociology, Jan Skopek.
Following the lecture, a reception was held in the Senior Common Room, where Professor Yasseri celebrated the milestone with family, friends, students, and colleagues from Ireland and abroad.
Please click here to visit the Faculty of AHSS Inaugural Lectures webpage to view the brochure, photos and full lecture video of Professor Yasseri’s lecture.
From left to right: Professor Carmel O'Sullivan, Dean of Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Professor Paul O’Grady, Head of School, School of Social Sciences and Philosophy; Professor Taha Yasseri, Workday Professor of Technology and Society (2023); and Dr Linda Doyle, Provost of Trinity College Dublin.