Talks and shows

The Turing Lectures: How to speak whale

Inside the technology that’s decoding the voices of ocean giants.

Tom Mustill

In the first Turing Lecture for families and everyone aged 11+, wildlife filmmaker Tom Mustill will take us on a journey to uncover if we can use science and artificial intelligence (AI) to actually talk to our largest living animal relatives - whales. In 2015, Tom was almost crushed by a humpback whale while kayaking in California. Fascinated by these otherworldly creatures, he began to investigate how researchers are using AI, undersea robots, and animal spying devices to do something incredible: decipher whale song. 

We invite you to submerge yourself in Tom’s underwater world, hear about the amazing advances scientists are making in decoding animal communication, and be rumbled by the voices of our deep-sea orca-stra! He'll be joined by Michael Bronstein, DeepMind Professor of AI at the University of Oxford, to explain how the development of new machine learning tools are making waves in the field.

Tom will break down what it will take to speak to a whale, in a whistlestop tour covering the biology and lives of whales, new discoveries about their communications, what AI is and how it can help, and updates from the latest research expeditions. The event will feature a wide range of demonstrations to explore this exciting topic, from real specimens of whales and dolphins, records from the backs of whales, some fire and even the chance to feel the vibrations of the biggest voices on the planet through your entire body.

It’ll be an afternoon whale-spent for the whole family!

This lecture is in collaboration with The Alan Turing Institute, and is particularly suitable for ages 11+. As with all our family theatre talks, this event is designed to be enjoyed by adults and children together. All young people under the age of 13 need to be accompanied by a paying adult and those aged 4 and above need a ticket to attend.

An access fund is available for anyone who would otherwise be unable to attend. Please contact events@turing.ac.uk to enquire.

About Tom Mustill

Tom Mustill in the water

Tom Mustill is a biologist turned filmmaker and writer, specialising in stories where people and nature meet. His work with David Attenborough, Greta Thunberg, Stephen Fry and conservation and science heroes across the globe have won over 30 international awards, including two Webbys, a Wildscreen Panda, two Jackson Wild Awards and been nominated for a Primetime Emmy. He directed on the blockbuster Inside Nature’s Giants series which won a BAFTA, Royal Television Society and Broadcast award, as well as the ZSL Award for Communicating Zoology.

Tom loves surfing and any excuse to get into the sea. He lives far from it in London, with his wife, Annie, his daughter, Stella, and the inhabitants of his small but surprisingly deep pond.

Event type

This is a theatre and livestream event for an adult audience, where the speakers and audience in our Theatre are joined by our audience online. 

By booking to attend events at the Royal Institution, you confirm that you have read and accept the Ri's event terms and conditions. You also agree to abide by our code of conduct, and help to create a great experience for yourself and your fellow participants. Please note that Eventbrite adds a small booking fee to the amount paid for each ticket option.

For any queries regarding this event please get in touch by phone 020 7409 2992 or email events@ri.ac.uk.

Timing

The live stream will go live at 1.55pm, and the introduction will begin at 2.00pm. If you register but miss the live stream, the video will be available to you via the same link for up to a week after the event date.

Accessibility

The event will take place on the first floor and there is step-free access from the street via lift.

The closest underground station is Green Park, which is step-free.

There is space at floor level in the theatre for wheelchair users.

Seating is usually unreserved for our events. If you and your group require seating reservations, please do let us know by emailing us at events@ri.ac.uk, and we’ll be more than happy to help.

Carers can receive a free ticket to an event by emailing events@ri.ac.uk.

Our theatre is equipped with an Audio Induction Loop. 

Covid guidelines

Face masks are no longer mandatory and wearing one in our Theatre and at other Ri events is at your discretion, however please do not attend the Ri if you are displaying Covid symptoms or, if you have tested, the result remains positive. Thank you for respecting other people and their choices, and for helping us keep all of our visitors and staff safe and well.

Event terms and conditions