Maryna Nekrasova

Thursday, October 23, 2025

7pm ET

Artificial Intelligence and Futurist Narratives

Rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have sparked widespread debates about its nature and potential risks. However, public and academic discourse often overlooks the cultural factors that shape our perceptions of AI, influence our interactions with it, and guide its technical development. Among these cultural influences, a significant role is played by the pervasive futurist narratives found in bestselling works of nonfiction and speculative literature—narratives that are often captivating but frequently inaccurate.

In this talk, I will discuss why these works are influential, how they shape public beliefs and perceptions of AI, and the kind of philosophical risks and dilemmas that they pose. Dr. Andrew Brook, Chancellor’s Professor of Philosophy and Cognitive Science at Carleton University, will provide a response following the talk.

Maryna Nekrasova is a PhD student in Philosophy at McGill University. Her academic interests encompass the philosophy of artificial intelligence, the ethics of technology, and epistemology. Her research is supported by the Richard H. Tomlinson Fellowship (McGill’s most prestigious doctoral scholarship) as well as the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Doctoral Fellowship. ​Before coming to McGill, she completed a Bachelor of Humanities and Philosophy degree at Carleton University, graduating with the Chancellor’s Medal.