This October, the Nobel Prize Dialogue makes its debut in Sydney, uniting some of the world's leading thinkers on the science and the art of decision-making.
The evening event at UNSW Sydney will feature conversations between three Nobel Prize laureates: Peace laureate Tawakkol Karman and Physics laureates Professor Saul Perlmutter and Professor Brian Schmidt.
Writer, composer and advocate for critical thinking Tim Minchin will also be on stage, alongside other prominent regional and international experts.
The discussion will centre around decision-making. Humanity evolved thanks in large part to our ability to cooperate with one another. However, in a world where the deep problems of war, threats to democracy and climate change are sowing chaos, our collective decision-making processes need to evolve.
The Nobel Dialogue at UNSW will explore how our choices are shaped, do we truly have free will, and what are the opportunities and threats we face from artificial intelligence?
UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs said it's an honour that UNSW has been selected to host this event.
"To have three Nobel Prize laureates on stage together will be a unique opportunity to hear from some of the planet's brightest minds on how we can tackle society's most fundamental problems," he said.
Sandra Brandin, Acting CEO of Nobel Prize Outreach, expects the three laureates will enlighten audiences.
"In a year of elections worldwide and a concerning decline in democracy, the theme of decision-making is more relevant than ever," she said. "We are thrilled to bring this event to Australia for the first time and partner with UNSW."
Professor Verity Firth, UNSW's Vice-President Societal Impact, Equity and Engagement, said the event offers students, staff and the broader community a chance to hear from some of the world's most distinguished scholars.
"In this age of misinformation, we must equip ourselves for a future where the line between fact and fiction is increasingly blurred. Universities have a vital role to teach critical thinking and help society distinguish between trustworthy and non-trustworthy information so that we learn how – not what – to think," she said.
The Nobel Prize Dialogue Sydney is a free event. It will be held at UNSW Sydney on Thursday, 24 October, 6pm – 8pm at the Clancy Auditorium. The theme is "The Future of Decision Making".
