Livestream: The Christmas Lectures from the Royal Institution: Frequently Asked Questions

This year the topic “The Truth About AI” given in three talks for young people at the Ri by Prof Mike Wooldridge in December 2023. You can also attend special livestreaming events around the country.

Royal Institution, Prof Michael Wooldridge outside at the Ri with a robot dog – photo credit: Paul Wilkinson

When do the livestreaming events take place?

• ~~Talk 1: Tuesday 12th December: 6-8.30pm (doors 5.30pm)~~
• ~~Talk 2: Thursday 14th December: 6-8.30pm (doors 5.30pm)~~
• Talk 3: Saturday 16th December: 6-8.30pm (doors 5.30pm)

Where can I get tickets to (1) QMUL’s livestream events?

Tickets to the livestream events are free and you can get them from these links

Queen Mary University of London (Mile End campus)
From 5.30pm, free
~~Tue 12th Dec tickets | Thu 14th Dec tickets |~~ Sat 16th Dec tickets (more info in the panel at the end)

Where can I get tickets to (2) QMUL’s Neuron Pod livestream events?

Tickets for their events on Thursday 14th and Saturday 16th can be found here. Neuron Pod is part of the Centre of the Cell, near Whitechapel.

Where will the Mile End livestreaming events take place?

We’ll be in different rooms / buildings for each of the three events. Directions will be posted here and sent to ticket-holders before the event but the nearest tube station is Stepney Green (Mile End is only a little further away) and the 25 and 205 buses stop nearby at Stop D.
Full directions to the venue.

This page on the Royal Institution’s website will show you all the venues around the UK where a livestream is happening.

Is the event wheelchair accessible?

Yes: the buildings, lifts, rooms and loos are suitable for those using wheelchairs.

Is there a lift?

Yes, wheelchair-accessible.

Are there loos?

Yes. They are wheelchair-accessible.

Is there parking?

No: we recommend coming on foot or using public transport. If this is a barrier please contact Jo well in advance to see what arrangements can be made to support you, via our Security team. There may be on-road parking nearby (e.g. Bancroft Road) however we cannot guarantee any spaces as these are public parking bays.

Will the event be subtitled or BSL-signed?

The event will have live close captioning which will be on by default. As I understand it this means that someone will be typing very quickly whatever Prof Mike Wooldridge says, I wish them good luck :-) No: unfortunately this is not possible as the livestream will show the presenter (Prof Mike Wooldridge) performing the demos and giving his talk. Do note that each talk is being recorded for later broadcast by the BBC and subtitles will be available for that.

What does the event involve?

Prof Mike Wooldridge will give three separate talks in December (in a room in central London) on ‘The Truth About AI’ (artificial intelligence) for young people. His talks are being beamed (livestreamed) via videolink to lots of venues around the UK and we’re one of them. His talks will also be recorded by the BBC for later broadcast and so demos will need to be re-set and bits will need to be re-recorded so there will be pauses in the livestream while that happens.

Please no spoilers

You’re watching a television programme being made so you’re seeing what’s in it before it’s broadcast. To maintain an element of mystery please don’t tell everyone what you see, thank you :)

What are the talks about?

See more detailed information about the contents of each of the three talks at the ‘About the lectures’ page.

Will we be on-screen?

No: this is like going to the cinema. You’ll watch the events unfold on screen, live from the Royal Institution via a live videolink but they won’t be able to see you.

What time does it start and end?

Doors will open at 5.30pm. We hope to get everyone seated by 6pm as that’s when the livestream will start from the Royal Institution (the Ri). There’ll be a welcome from the Ri host and then the lecture will start. Ideally it will run through to the end and last about an hour to an hour and a half. BUT! It’s ‘live’ TV so things always go a bit wrong and there will be breaks in recording to re-set a demo, or get a different camera angle. The livestream will have ended by 8.30pm (you are free to leave at any time but please do so quietly).

Who is the event for?

All are welcome. The talks are aimed at an audience of 11-17 years olds but anyone can attend and we welcome families, school and community groups. Bring the family, or come by yourself to watch.

What happens if we’re late arriving?

Just come in :-)

What happens if we can no longer attend?

Please contact Jo to cancel your ticket(s) and we can share them with anyone on our waiting list.

Will there be food?

We will have some muffins and vegan snacks in a room next to the lecture theatre (please don’t eat or drink in the room itself). If you are bringing anything to eat please eat it in the room provided. There is a Sainsbury’s opposite the venue which will still be open after the event finishes. There is also a Sainsbury’s next to Stepney Green station and a Co-op just opposite the station.

Is there an interval?

There’s no interval but there will be stops and starts and breaks in the livestream for things to be re-set and re-recorded. If you need to pop to the loo during the event that’s fine, we just ask that you take care not to disturb others in the audience (you won’t disturb the speaker as he’s in a different venue).

Can we attend without a ticket?

The event has a capacity of 105 and we are making 100 tickets available to the public (leaving 5 spaces for staff). If the event has sold out we’ll have activated the waiting list, or please contact Jo on the day for more availability. If you arrive without a ticket we cannot guarantee entry and you may be turned away. We will certainly try and admit you but definitely recommend grabbing a ticket or contacting Jo.

Get free Eventbrite tickets ⬇️
~~Tue 12th | Thu 14th |~~ Sat 16th

When can we watch them on television / YouTube?

The BBC has now published its Christmas television listings and the three lectures will be broadast on BBC Four at 8pm on the 26th (Boxing Day), 27th and 28th of December, with repeats in early January. The Royal Institution will also put the lectures on their YouTube channel in early January 2024. More information on the ‘Watch on TV‘ page.