Launching the Secular Hub AI Series

Event Description

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming one of the most important technological developments of our time. AI systems are now influencing science, work, media, education, and many other parts of society. At the Secular Hub, we are launching a new recurring series to explore these developments together.

This first meeting will serve as an organizational kickoff for the series. We will introduce the idea behind the program, discuss the types of topics we hope to explore, and invite participants to help shape the direction of future sessions.

The series will include two complementary types of meetings:

Inside AI – sessions focused on understanding what artificial intelligence is and how today’s AI systems work. These meetings will explain ideas in an accessible way and may include demonstrations of AI tools, short presentations, or videos that help make the technology easier to understand. The goal is to build a basic understanding of AI without requiring any technical background.

AI & Society – sessions focused on the broader questions raised by artificial intelligence and how these technologies may affect our lives. These meetings will center on conversation and exploration of topics such as the future of work, misinformation and media, environmental impact, ethics, privacy, public policy, and the long-term role of AI in society. The goal is to create a thoughtful space for discussing both the opportunities and challenges that AI may bring, with perspectives from science, philosophy, economics, and everyday experience.

At this kickoff meeting we will:

• Introduce the goals and structure of the series
• Spend the first hour experiencing sample versions of both formats, including a short demonstration session and a discussion session (about 30 minutes each)
• Preview possible topics for the coming year
• Gather suggestions from attendees
• Identify volunteers interested in

• helping with logistics such as making coffee or helping clean up a bit after the event
• helping present/facilitate future sessions
• helping solicit future presenters
• helping organize materials from sessions
• helping co-organize one or both series

No technical background is required. This event is intended for anyone curious about artificial intelligence and interested in thoughtful discussion about its role in our world.

Whether you are already experimenting with AI tools or simply curious about what these technologies mean for society, you are welcome to join the conversation.