Believing what you see: Trust and vision from the French Revolution to Generative AI

The growth of deepfakes, rising concerns about misinformation, and declining trust in public institutions such as traditional media are all seen as issues connected with the rapid increase in the deployment and use of ever-more sophisticated forms of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI).

Yet, from the daguerreotype to the popularisation of photography, and from early cinema to the blockbuster film, society has been forced to ask questions about the authenticity of images and whether we can trust what we see. Going back to the French Revolution, we are also aware of how the popular press of late 18th century Paris could rouse public sentiment and foment radical and revolutionary demands on civic and political life. 

This one-day event, as part of the University of Sydney's School of Art, Communication and English (SACE) 2025 Research Events Series, will bring together leading scholars to debate the veracity of the image and information in contemporary public life, and what the relationship is between visual understanding and societal trust. 

Speakers will include:

• Andrea Carson, LaTrobe University;
• Terry Flew, University of Sydney;
• Martyn Jolly, Australian National University;
• Bruce Isaacs, University of Sydney;
• Mark Ledbury, University of Sydney;
• Francesco Bailo, University of Sydney;
• Donna West Brett, University of Sydney;
• Olga Boichak, University of Sydney; and
• Anna Broinowski, University of Sydney.

The event will be catered, offering morning tea and a light lunch.

This event is being organised as part of the 2025 Research Events Series run by the School of Art, Communication and English at the University of Sydney, with support from the Power Institute.