B-Debate is a Biocat and Obra Social "la Caixa" initiative, with the collaboration of the Photonic Sciences Institute (ICFO) and the Mathematics Museum of Catalonia (MMAC). The first B-Debate in 2014: "Life - a user's manual. How algorithms shape our lives" is divided into four sessions, the first of which will take place on Wednesday 14 May, and those following will be on 21 and 28 May and 4 June, at 7.00 pm in the Agora Room at CosmoCaixa in Barcelona.

The series of lectures aims to convey the importance and impact of algorithms in our daily lifes to the public. Algorithms are sets of instructions used to perform problem-solving tasks. Since ancient Babylon, 4500 years ago, mankind has developed mathematical theorems based on algorithmic calculations to find systemic solutions to problems of various types and complexities. Today, their number and fields of application are infinite. This lecture series will discuss the applications of algorithms in economics, industry and the life sciences.

In the B-Debate on economics, scheduled for 21 May, the participants will include José García Montalvo, professor in the Department of Economics and Business at UPF. Javier Macia, a researcher at the Complex Systems Laboratory in the Department of Experimental and Health Sciences at UPF, will participate in the conference about Life Sciences, on 4 June.