Normal Festival – Chat GP..?

Normal? Festival Of The Brain has been running in various guises since 2014.  It has always been an arts, science and lived experience festival that focuses on how our brains work.  As such, connections were made with the NHS and research units across the country.  Now Professor Tim Rittman, a neuroscientist from Cambridge approached the Normal? team to see if he could run his research in Folkestone.  Susanna Howard, a co-founder of Normal? spoke to Folkelife about what to expect.

“On Saturday 28th March 2026, from 4 to 6pm at The Grand Hotel, we’ll be running a free event called Chat GP..? Tim and researchers from his neuroscience lab will be sharing their work on neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, Dementia, MSA, MND and so on. We’ve been working with the team to make the explanations intelligible.  But the format of the afternoon will be that one person will be given a buzzer, and if they hear a word they don’t understand, be encouraged to buzz in so that everything can be explained.”

AI and Machine Learning

“After the main talks with the neuroscientists, we’ll be focusing on the work that Tim has been doing is on AI and machine learning, which are very hot topics at the moment. Tim and his researchers will each give a 5 minute introduction to their work, and then there will be a big conversation and a launch of a computer game survey.  The big question is can digital tools help with the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases.  The game has been made with Tom Ward, a local artist, and Tim Rittman and the responses given will directly impact the research they are doing with Alzheimer’s UK.  Importantly, the game isn’t collecting personal data, or diagnosing anyone. But it is a way to share how this research works and bringing everyone into the conversation.

“Living Words and Screen South are partnering for this (and previous) events and it’s going to be a fun, whistle-stop event with drinks and snacks.  Each neuroscientist will be at a different table, and you can go and ask them any questions.  It’s for everyone to ask and find out the answers to any questions they have on these subjects.”

centre of research

“It’s a big deal for this to happen in Folkestone. The University of Cambridge could go anywhere in the country, and they’ve chosen to come to us because of the links we’ve made over the past 12 years with Tim and his team.  And if you have ever wondered how brain research actually happens, this is an opportunity to ask those questions and find out.

“It is also a chance to find out more about how AI works in the area of medical research.  Does it have a role to play?  If so, what is that role, and how do we interact with it, and understand its limitations.”

key questions

“We posed this question – can a computer tell you if you have dementia?  And then, secondly, would you believe it if it did?  Most importantly, we want people to feel they can ask these questions at Chat GP..? and understand the answers given.  We have always aimed to have a fun and relaxed atmosphere at all of our events. We will be at The Grand on 28th March and look forward to having Folkestone involved in this important research.”

To book your free tickets, click here.