Our first meeting, in September, was a bit of an introduction during which we discussed a variety of things vaguely related to politics, national and global affairs. It was a wide-ranging discussion on a variety of topics.

In October, the discussion rapidly turned to the question of AI (Artificial Intelligence). The discussion included a brief description of what AI actually was and various comments about the potential benefits and risks of the new technology. This could be an extraordinary tool helping to advance medical research both in terms of diagnosis and cures; it could also be a frightening weapon if left unguided by human morality.

By understanding the statistical probability of being liable to any specific disease and being able to understand the impact of a wide variety of actions and products that helped reduce the probability or the impact of the disease, we could cure many people before they even realise that they are ill. On the other hand, giving a tool without conscience the ability to communicate how to build a bomb, or how to annihilate an "enemy" population without supervision could, indeed, lead to the destruction of mankind. Progress cannot be stopped, but tools need to be controlled by competent people.