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Past Events

Lecture series with Dr. Ignas Kalpokas from 5 November 2025 to 6 November 2025

Date: 5 November 2025
Time: 18:15pm–20:00pm
Location: 205 (SEM +2/0050), Pilgrimstein 12, Seminar Building (B | 07), University of Marburg

While contemporary societies are undergoing profound transformations driven by artificial intelligence and related technologies, a singular notion of “progress” dominates public discourse. In areas such as education, cultural heritage, creativity, biology, and technology, hegemonic (typically progressivist) narratives often overshadow alternative (critical) perspectives on the present and future, making it difficult to recognize moral and technological choices. A counterbalance is needed—one that demonstrates how the future can be shaped rather than passively received.

Decisions in these areas are indeed shaped by deeply entrenched ideological, political, and economic assumptions, often accompanied by rhetoric of inevitability. Yet it is crucial to remember that we are making not only technical and economic decisions, but also moral and societal ones: between maximizing efficiency and preserving plurality; between treating technological possibilities as imperatives and critically assessing their desirability; between moral blindness and responsibility. Only by regaining the ability to recognize the options available can we actively help shape the future form of societies—and humanity itself.

This lecture is based on the forthcoming book: Societies at an AI Crossroads: Choices and Value Conflicts by Ignas Kalpokas and Julija Kalpokiené.

Date: 6 November 2025
Time: 16:15pm–17:45pm
Location: Room 105 (Pilgrimstein 12, Seminar Building B | 07), Philipps University Marburg

Post-Truth and Media Studies: A Conversation with Ignas Kalpokas
An open forum with academic guest Dr. Ignas Kalpokas on the topic of post-truth and its relation to Media Studies. Dr. Josh Carney will lead the discussion, and all in attendance are welcome to join in the conversation. The discussion is envisioned to address topics including how to define and discuss post-truth, the nostalgic perspective underlying much of contemporary post-truth discourse, the role of generative AI in the present and near future of the post-truth era, the question of whether truth as a normative category still holds relevance, and the interrelationship between post-truth and popular media.