From Big Bang to ChatGPT: Astronomy, Data and Society

It was very special to return to Oxford after so long: meeting so many fascinating academics, students and alumni working in many different fields and walks of life reminded me of how incredibly stimulating the place always is.

The opportunity was an invitation to speak Hertford College Festival, in conversation with Physics Fellow and astronomer Pat Roche. Very helpfully, the Euclid satellite was launched 4 minutes before our talk began, so it provided the perfect springboard (and background) for our discussion, ranging from fundamental physics to the need for AI, from the character of astronomers to the evidence for dark energy (and yes, I did keep glancing over my shoulder at the screen showing the live progress of the launcher, just to make sure!).

Needless to say, the display of 21st century technological prowess in the 19th century chapel provided a beautiful illustration of how we are all standing on the shoulder of giants.