Talk: Future-proofing the internet in the AI world
This event is part of the Royal Society's Summer Science Exhibition 2026.
Huge amounts of data are moving around us at any given moment, allowing us to stream and download music, videos and games and to stay continuously connected to one another.
It can be easy to take for granted the technology at our fingertips and to forget that it requires an immense network of undersea and landline optical fibre communications systems with complex sources, amplifiers and receivers, and even satellites in orbit, to make it all possible.
Given that almost every aspect of modern life is reliant on internet access, it’s vital that our global internet infrastructure can withstand future challenges from intentional sabotage to natural disasters. In this talk, one of the great pioneers in optical communication networks, Professor Dame Polina Bayvel DBE FRS, will explain the risks to the global infrastructure we depend on, and what must be done to future-proof it.
Attending the event
This event will be held in Theatre 2 at the Royal Society on Wednesday 1 July 2026, 3pm – 3.30pm.
- Free to attend as part of Summer Science Exhibition on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to seat availability. We recommend that visitors arrive 10-15 minutes before the session
- You can book . For entry slots where priority tickets are now fully booked, walk-up tickets will be available, subject to building capacity. Please be aware you may need to queue for entry
- Suitable for students aged 14+
- This talk will take place in person
- A recording of this talk will be available later on the
- Live subtitles will be available
- Travel and accessibility information and details on planning your visit - contact us directly to arrange any specific accessibility requirements
- Food and drink will be available for purchase at our onsite café
For all enquiries, please email us.