Professor James Mclaurin is Co director of the Centre for AI and Public Policy at the University of Otago. Professor Mclaurin talked us through the the history and rapidly expanding technological world of AI. We learnt about  some  mind blowing capabilities of the new generation of  free and easy to access apps such as ChatGPT 4, video editing and drawing tools.He talked about truth and the dilemma of false pretenses (the pope playing basketball),  and discussed the impact of this techology on jobs, innovation and work efficiency.  There are far reaching and sometimes scary applications such as the use of  robotics in warfare and positive applications such as the use of AI to improve medical dignoses and health outcomes. He cited several recent academic publications showing the benefits of AI for accomplishing workplace chores more effectively and efficiently.  He suggested several good books to read on the topic, talked about job 'churn' and the problem of 'alignment', and concluded that this technology is growing fast, and we need to embrace it in our eduication and work systems,  but be mindful and informed about it's pros and cons, and how ethical and moral implications for it's use are poised to shape public policy making in the near future.