We are not machines: the fight for the future of work
Speaker
A tsunami of change, we are told, is sweeping the economy as robots and AI threaten to take over tasks done by humans. But while we worry that we’re robotising our work, what if the real risk is that we’re robotising ourselves?
In this discussion, prize-winning Financial Times journalist Sarah O’Connor joins DSI Co-Director Professor Cosmina Dorobantu to discuss her new book, We Are Not Machines. Exploring questions of power, design, institutions, and ideas, O’Connor’s book shows that the way technology changes the world of work is not pre-determined, but must be contested and shaped by all of us.
The discussion will finish with an audience Q&A, and copies of the book will be available to buy on the night. A drinks reception will follow.
Meet our speaker and chair
Sarah O'Connor is a columnist, reporter and associate editor at the Financial Times. She writes a weekly column focused on the world of work, as well as longer features and investigations. She has won the Orwell Prize for Exposing Britain's Social Evils, the Wincott Award for financial journalism, Business Commentator of the Year at the Comment Awards, Financial/Economic story of the year at the Foreign Press Awards and Business and Finance Journalist of the year at the British Press Awards.
Professor Cosmina Dorobantu is Co-Director of the LSE Data Science Institute (from September 2026), and Turing OII Fellow at the University of Oxford. She is the winner of the 2025 UK AI & Robotics Research Community Award for her significant contributions to the AI policy landscape. Cosmina co-founded and co-directed the Public Policy Programme at The Alan Turing Institute, which helped over 100 public sector organisations and gained national and international recognition for its pioneering work on AI for government.
Any questions?
If you have a query please email dsi.events@lse.ac.uk or take a look at the information below.
Many speakers at LSE events also write for LSE Blogs, which present research and critical commentary accessibly for a public audience. Follow LSE British Politics, the Business Review, LSE Impact, LSE European Politics and the LSE Review of Books to learn more about the debates our events series present.
Photographs are regularly taken at LSE events both by LSE staff and members of the media and events are routinely filmed. Photographs from events taken by LSE staff are often used on LSE's social media accounts. If you have any concerns about this please contact the event organiser in advance of the event.
Please contact the Press Office if you would like to request a press seat or have a media query about this event, email dsi.comms@lse.ac.uk. Please note that press seats are usually allocated at least 24 hours before each event.
Event updates and other information about what’s happening at the Data Science Institute can be found on our LinkedIn.
Livestreams and archive videos of past events are shared on our YouTube channel.
The Data Science Institute at LSE aims to ensure that people have equal access to these public events, but please contact dsi.events@lse.ac.uk as far as possible in advance if you have any access requirements so that arrangements, where possible, can be made. Access Guides to all our venues can be viewed online.
LSE has now introduced wireless for guests and visitors in association with 'The Cloud', also in use at many other locations across the UK. If you are on campus visiting for the day or attending a conference or event, you can connect your device to wireless. See more information and create an account at Join the Cloud.
Visitors from other participating institutions are encouraged to use eduroam. If you are having trouble connecting to eduroam, please contact your home institution for assistance.
The Cloud is only intended for guest and visitor access to wifi. Existing LSE staff and students are encouraged to use eduroam instead.
From time to time there are changes to event details so we strongly recommend that if you plan to attend this event you check back on this listing on the day of the event.
Whilst we are hosting this listing, LSE Events does not take responsibility for the running and administration of this event. While we take responsible measures to ensure that accurate information is given here this event is ultimately the responsibility of the organisation presenting the event.
LSE holds a wide range of events, covering many of the most controversial issues of the day, and speakers at our events may express views that cause offence. The views expressed by speakers at LSE events do not reflect the position or views of the London School of Economics and Political Science.