

# Event Details

- **Event Name**: Swindon Science Cafe -  The brain is not a computer, with Neil Howard
- **Event Start and End Date**: Tue, 03 Mar, 2026 at 07:00 pm – Tue, 03 Mar, 2026 at 09:00 pm
- **Event Description**: Join Neil Howard as he challenges the idea that our brains work like computers in this mind-bending conversation.About this EventJoin us for an informal evening of discovery and discussion, with theoretical neuroscientist and science writer, Neil Howard.It is common for people to talk about the brain as if it were a computer: resetting, rewiring, rebooting and reprogramming the brain and such like.However, researchers can now grow 'Synthetic Biological Intelligence' on a dish, connect it up to a virtual world, and it will just proceed to learn about and interact with that virtual world in an intelligent way. Noone did anything like programming it for it to behave that way. What is that 'bunch of neurons' (as Francis Crick put it) on a dish actually doing?This talk will try to answer that by presenting a theoretical framework of the brain that is very different from any computer analogy.  https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events10/banners/36c56120-121e-11f1-beef-a18d27c3085a-rimg-w739-h740-dcecefec-gmir.jpg Neil has bachelor and PhD degrees from York University and over 30 years experience designing and leading teams developing Application-Specific Integrated Circuits, spanning a wide range of applications from satellite-borne GPS to commercial robotics, from Linux Systems-on-chip to tiny AI sensors and neural implants.He has given many talks to the Swindon Philosophical Society over the last 15 years, many being related to the brain. Neil is currently writing a popular science book on theoretical neuroscience and AI.A follow-up talk 'Neurophilosophy' will be given to the Swindon Philosophical Society on Wednesday 11 March about some of the philosophical implications of the neuroscience discussed tonight, including free will and consciousness.  https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events4/banners/36f17a30-121e-11f1-92a1-4f801371dba8-rimg-w740-h740-dc4ad7e8-gmir.jpg SWINDON SCIENCE CAFEScience Cafes are an informal opportunity to explore the latest ideas in science and technology. Rather than a long lecture, you can expect a lively, two-way conversation with a researcher - over a drink or two!Everyone is welcome to come and express their views or just enjoy a drink and listen. No scientific knowledge is needed to take part - just bring your curiosity, and maybe your own bottle of choice.WHEN: The first Tuesday of each month from 7pm - 9pm.WHERE: Innovation Centre for Applied Sustainable Technologies (iCAST) Creative Hub located in the iconic Carriage Works. 10 Carriage Works, Unit 7B, London Street, Swindon, SN1 5FBEnter the following three words into the What Three Words app to find the exact location:Front entrance: ///friday.index.soloRear entrance: ///cups.shell.faceREFRESHMENTS: A selection of light refreshments will be available in return for a donation, or you are welcome to bring your own drinks and snacks with you. Please bring cash with you for donations to cover the costs of drinks on the night.Swindon Science Cafe is organised by:The Festival of TomorrowThe Royal Agriculture UniversitySwindon and Wiltshire Institute of TechnologyThe University of Bath Innovation Centre for Applied Sustainable Technologies (iCAST)Please note that filming/photography will take place at this event for promotional purposes. The photographs made may appear on the organising committee websites, on social media or in press releases relating to the event.If you would prefer not to be photographed please let the organisers know.
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/swindon/swindon-science-cafe-the-brain-is-not-a-computer-with-neil-howard/100001983779048536
- **Event Categories**: Art, Festivals, Nonprofit, literary-art
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 0

## Ticket Details

- **Ticket URL**: https://consumer.pxf.io/c/1339408/3151484/39691?partnerpropertyid=1191892&MediaPartnerPropertyId=1191892&svlink=14105511&level=1&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eventbrite.com%2Fe%2Fswindon-science-cafe-the-brain-is-not-a-computer-with-neil-howard-tickets-1983779048536
- **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: GBP

## Event venue details

- **city**: Swindon
- **state**: EN
- **country**: United Kingdom
- **location**: Innovation Centre for Applied Sustainable Technologies (iCAST) Creative Hub
- **lat**: 51.5624519
- **long**: -1.7912124
- **full address**: Innovation Centre for Applied Sustainable Technologies (iCAST) Creative Hub, 10 Carriage Works, Unit 7B,, Swindon, United Kingdom

## Event Organizer details

- **affiliate_id**: 10
- **organizer**: Festival of Tomorrow 2021 (https://allevents.in/org/festival-of-tomorrow-2021/18427670)

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: banner
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events4/banners/4b732c9d773959e9275ebdcaecbc18041b983629352d0d13d5b7d1bb3f43055c-rimg-w1200-h675-dc4ad9e4-gmir.jpg?v=1772005662
- **Alt text**: thumbnail
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events4/banners/9f062c9ce8cdb134e8f8abe4ee19784bdd1a9c300e967542459cb71c33462d3b-rimg-w400-h400-dc4bd9e5-gmir.jpg?v=1772005662

## FAQs

- **Q**: When is the event happening?
  - **A:** Tue, 03 Mar, 2026 at 07:00 pm
- **Q**: Where is the event happening?
  - **A:** Innovation Centre for Applied Sustainable Technologies (iCAST) Creative Hub, 10 Carriage Works, Unit 7B,, Swindon, United Kingdom
- **Q**: What is the ticket price?
  - **A:** starting from 0 up to 0 GBP
- **Q**: Who is organizing the event?
  - **A:** Festival of Tomorrow 2021
- **Q**: What type of event is this?
  - **A:** Art, Festivals, Nonprofit, literary-art
- **Q**: Where can I find ticket details about Swindon Science Cafe -  The brain is not a computer, with Neil Howard ?
  - **A:** You can find ticket details about this event on AllEvents.

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