Author/Editor Maria Anna Furman

Is artificial intelligence changing only the way we work, or is it also changing who we are as human beings? This question will become the central theme of one of the most important international scientific conferences dedicated to the relationship between humans and new technologies. From 26 to 28 June 2026, the Polish University Abroad (PUNO) in London will bring together researchers from Europe, Africa, and Asia for the 8th International Interdisciplinary Academic Conference, titled "The Multidimensional Functioning of Human Beings under the Conditions of Transformation toward the Era of Artificial Intelligence (AI)."

The three-day event goes far beyond the traditional technological debate. The organisers propose viewing artificial intelligence as a phenomenon that influences psychology, education, culture, law, social communication, healthcare, and the functioning of contemporary organisations. At the centre of every discussion, however, remains the human being: their identity, relationships, security and ability to preserve autonomy in a world increasingly shaped by algorithms.

The conference programme includes more than 100 papers presented by representatives of dozens of universities and research institutions from many countries. Participants include scholars from Poland, the United Kingdom, Italy, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Kenya, Nigeria, Greece and India, representing the social sciences and humanities as well as medicine, computer science, law and the fine arts.

Particular attention should be paid to the exceptionally broad range of topics. Researchers will examine the impact of AI on young people's mental health, family relationships, education, cognitive processes and social communication. The programme will also address issues related to cybersecurity, the ethics of algorithms, human rights, social media, deepfakes, generative art, intelligent medical diagnostics and the future of work in a world of automated systems.

The international character of the conference is highlighted by both the composition of its Scientific Committee and the project's partners, which include renowned European and African universities, as well as institutions participating in projects funded by Horizon Europe and UK Research and Innovation. This makes the London gathering not only a forum for the exchange of knowledge but also a platform for building new international research partnerships.

At a time when the development of artificial intelligence inspires both tremendous hope and well-founded concern, the PUNO conference serves as a reminder that the most important question is not how intelligent machines will become, but whether humanity will be able to preserve its own agency in a world that it is creating itself.

Author/Editor Maria Anna Furman

The Polish University Abroad in London will host the 8th International Interdisciplinary Scientific Conference dedicated to human life in the age of artificial intelligence. The event will take place in London from 26–28 June 2026. Researchers from Europe, Africa and Asia will take part. The conference will focus on the impact of AI on psychology, education, law, health, culture, communication and human security.

The PUNO conference in London is an important contribution to the international debate on the future of human beings in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. Its significance goes beyond the analysis of technology itself, focusing instead on questions of identity, agency, education, security and ethics.

As algorithms, automation, generative systems and intelligent diagnostic tools continue to develop rapidly, the question of responsible technology use becomes increasingly urgent. AI can support medicine, education, research and communication, but it also creates new challenges related to privacy, misinformation, cybersecurity, deepfakes and the protection of human rights.

The London-based PUNO conference highlights that the future of artificial intelligence should not be defined solely by the capabilities of machines, but by the values that human beings choose to protect and develop. This is why an interdisciplinary meeting of researchers, experts and institutions from many countries is highly relevant to public, academic and social debate.