AI and Human Originality: Myth, Mirror, or Something New?

For most of history, originality has been treated as something distinctly human — the spark behind every poem, proof, invention, and melody. But as AI systems generate art, arguments, and ideas at a scale and speed we never imagined, an uncomfortable question surfaces: was human originality ever what we thought it was?

Join us for an afternoon of genuine inquiry into pressing questions of our times. We'll dig into what the rise of AI reveals about the nature of originality itself. Is human creativity a kind of myth — recombination dressed up as invention? Or is there something in human originality that machines, however impressive, still can't reach? And where exactly is AI today: approaching the edges of human creative capacity, matching it, or in some domains already surpassing it?

This will be a conversation grounded in both deep technical experience and the messy reality of where things actually stand.

Our Speakers

Speaker 1 is a retired computer scientist whose career spans some of the most storied names in computing. He worked at IBM Research, served as Chief Scientist at Tymeshare Transactions, and was Chief Scientist at Xerox Imaging. He brings decades of perspective on how machines actually "think" — and what that history tells us about the claims being made today.

Speaker 2 works as a forward deployed engineer, helping medium-to-large businesses across Manila with real-world AI integration projects. She brings a ground-level view of what these systems can and can't do right now, beyond the headlines and demos.

What to Expect

The afternoon runs in four parts:
Speaker presentations — each speaker sets out their perspective on the questions above.
Speaker dialogue — the two go head to head (and mind to mind), exploring where they agree, where they don't, and why.
Open Q&A — the floor opens up for questions and exchange between the speakers and the audience. Come with your sharpest ones.
Casual hangout — for anyone who wants to stick around, keep the conversation going, and meet fellow curious minds.

Venue and Logistics

We'll be gathering on Guijo, San Antonio Village, Makati City. The exact address will be sent directly to registered attendees, so be sure to sign up.

Drinks: The venue offers a menu of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available for purchase, so come thirsty.

Food: You're welcome to bring food, but please keep it non-smelly and non-messy / spill-free out of respect for the space and everyone in it. Snacks to share are very welcome — bring something for the table if you're inclined.

Come ready to think and question.