A matter of life and tech
Does the rise of AI mean the death of the humanities? With Sophie Gee, Sandra Peter and Kai Riemer.
Event details
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, 19 May 2026 | 6:30pm |
This is a Free Event.
Registration Required.
General Public tickets on-sale
9am, Monday 20 April 2026
For those requiring assistance, wheelchair or companion seating, accessible seating locations are available. Bookings can be made by calling the Box Office on +61 2 9250 7777 or by email.
Performance may include some mild coarse language and themes so recommend for ages 15+ or parental guidance present for audiences under 15.
Event duration is a guide only and may be subject to change.
Children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied at all times.
The Opera House is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children that visit or engage with us. Read our Child Safety Policy.
In an age of AI, how can tech help us become better at being human?
Speakers
Professor Sophie Gee
Princeton University and University of Sydney
Sophie Gee is a professor in the English Department at Princeton University. At the University of Sydney she holds roles as the inaugural Vice-Chancellor's Fellow (2024–) and co-director of the Eleos Collaboration in the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Community and Leadership). The Collaboration builds academic knowledge that is compassionate and communal.
She is a novelist, journalist and scholar and her most recent book is a history of 18th century novels, eating rituals and empire called The Barbarous Feast (Princeton University Press, 2026). Sophie is co-host of the Secret Life of Books, a podcast about classic books.
Associate Professor Sandra Peter
University of Sydney
Sandra Peter leads executive and leadership development in cutting-edge areas of business, technology, and society. She has spoken around the world and been told that she should do stand-up (be warned: some of her presentations contain AI-generated cats).
As an Associate Professor at the University of Sydney Business School and Co-Director of Sydney Executive Plus (SE+), Sandra spends her time thinking about the future, researching the future, consulting on the future, and speaking about the future.
Alongside Dr Kai Riemer, she heads Sydney Executive Plus (SE+), which focuses on preparing leaders for what comes next. So far, SE+ has helped upskill executives and leaders across 20+ industries in areas ranging from AI Fluency to Geopolitics and Business to Quantum Opportunities.
Professor Kai Riemer
University of Sydney
Kai Riemer works with boards and executives to bring foresight expertise and deep understanding of emerging technologies into strategy and leadership.
He specialises in digital technology, artificial intelligence, the future of work, leadership and skills, and the management of change and transformation. He has shared his thinking and insights on these areas with audiences across the globe.
Kai is Professor of Information Technology and Organisation at the University of Sydney Business School. Alongside Dr Sandra Peter, he’s the Co-Director of Sydney Executive Plus (SE+), which focuses on digital-first leadership development. So far, SE+ has helped upskill executives and leaders across 20+ industries in areas ranging from AI Fluency to Geopolitics and Business to Quantum Opportunities.
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Attending this event
Venue information
Our foyers will be open 90 minutes pre-show for Concert Hall and Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and two hours pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances. Refreshments will be available for purchase from our theatre bars.
All Sydney Opera House foyers are pram accessible, with lifts to the main and western foyers. The public lift to all foyers is accessible from the corridor near the escalators on the Lower Concourse and also in the Western Foyer via the corridor on the Ground Level (at the top of the escalators). Pram parking will be available outside the theatres in the Western Foyer.
Getting here
The Sydney Opera House Car Park, operated by Wilson Parking, is open and available to use. Wilson Parking offer discounted parking if you book ahead. Please see the Wilson Parking website for details.
Please check the Transport NSW website for the latest advice and information on travel. You can catch public transport (bus, train, ferry) to Circular Quay and enjoy a 7-10 minute walk to the Opera House.
Frequently asked questions
Ticket purchases and collection at our Box Office is discouraged and eTicket or postal delivery methods should be used, wherever possible. However, if you are collecting your tickets from the Box Office, we recommend doing this at least 60 minutes before the event starts. If you have already received your tickets, the venue doors will be open 45 minutes pre-show for Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and 30 minutes pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances. Please take your seats as soon as you arrive.
If you are late, we will seat you as soon as we can and, where possible, in your allocated seat. However, to reduce movement in the venue as well as minimise disruption to the performance and other patrons, ticketholders may be seated in an allocated latecomer’s seat. Please be aware that some events have lock-out periods. In these cases, latecomers will be admitted at a suitable break in the performance. On occasions, this may not be until the interval, or at all where there is no interval.
Details of our right to refuse admission can be found in our General Terms and Conditions for Tickets and Events.
In accordance with our venue security procedures, Opera House security will be scanning and checking bags under the Monumental Stairs, prior to entering the building. Bags will be scanned by an x-ray machine, and staff will wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling your belongings, such as gloves. Cloaking facilities will be open 60 minutes pre-show for Concert Hall and Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and 60 minutes pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances. However it is strongly encouraged that you travel lightly to minimise contact and queuing. Any bags larger than an A4 piece of paper will need to be checked into the Cloak Room.
The authorised agency for this event is the Sydney Opera House.
Only tickets purchased by authorised agencies should be considered reliable. If you purchase tickets from a non-authorised agency such as Ticketmaster Resale, Viagogo, Ticketbis, eBay, Gumtree, Tickets Australia or any other unauthorised seller, you risk that these tickets are fake, void or have previously been cancelled. Resale restriction applies. For more details, please refer to our General Terms and Conditions for Tickets and Attendance at Events.
Please contact Box Office on +61 2 9250 7777 as soon as possible to advise if you can no longer attend.
Foyers will be open 90 minutes pre-show for Concert Hall and Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and two hours pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances. Refreshments will be available for purchase from our theatre bars.
The venue doors will be open 45 minutes pre-show for Concert Hall and Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and 30 minutes pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances.
Please bring a credit or debit card for any on site purchases to enable contactless payment. You’re welcome to bring your own water bottle but no other food and drinks are permitted inside our venues.
The health, safety and wellbeing of everyone at the Sydney Opera House is our top priority. In line with this commitment, the Opera House became a smoke-free site in January 2022. Read our Smoke-free Environment Policy.
Location and access
Studio
The Studio is located in the north-western corner of Sydney Opera House, best accessed through the Western Foyers.