Human-Centered Design

Dear beautiful people :) This meetup was created with the intention of connecting people, and it remains a safe and welcoming space where every opinion matters and inclusivity is the pillar of the event 🤗. Whatever your reason for coming — curiosity, practicing a language, meeting new people, hanging out, disconnecting from work, or simply nostalgia — you will be warmly welcomed in a respectful and open environment. If you don't find someone who speaks the language you're learning, don't worry. Every person here is a doorway to a new culture, a new story, and at least one new word. ⭐ **Golden Rules** Respect everyone – Every opinion and culture matters 🌎 Be inclusive – Make space for everyone at the table 🤝 Listen as much as you speak – Real connections come from sharing 👂 No discrimination or harassment – This is a safe space 🛡️ Stay curious and open-minded – You never know who you’ll meet ✨ Entry: **No fee, just grab a drink 🍹** **“International accents, real connections” 🌍🗣️** Hope to meet you soon :)

On 18.06.2026 we visit Atelier 210 in Etterbeek for the **Science & Cocktails #46** **Andy Strominger** The idea is to explore the more alternative art scene of Brussels. We’ll kick things off with a cozy Thursday evening event: Cocktail in hand and surrounded by friends, we’ll experience a live science experiment designed to spark some philosophical thoughts — followed by a concert if you feel like sticking around a bit longer. tickets: 10€ (included a cocktail or a mocktail) to buy from the event page: [event page](https://atelier210.be/saisons/saison-25-26/science-cocktails-46/) 👨‍🔬+🍹 **Adventures with Black Holes: Past, Present and Future** A talk by Andrew Strominger Dr. Andrew Strominger received his PhD from MIT in 1981, and held a postdoctoral position at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton: What is gravity? Are black holes cosmic vacuum cleaners… or the universe’s deepest mystery boxes? Can information really disappear forever, or are black holes hiding secrets we’re just starting to decode? What did we actually see when we “photographed” a black hole and listened to spacetime ring? Are black holes a dead end for understanding the universe… or the key to its future? Followed by concert: **🎸Tokyo Witch (be)** Tokyo Witch is the solo ambient project of Losine's ilena Lacroix. From this secret faraway witchcraft treehouse lab arise some distant, dark echoes of what's way too intimate to be brought to daylight. Whispers about deep-buried sensations and experiences guide these raveled guitar and synth-based dreams marbled with nightmare.

Making the new Friends after work or in your vacation.

Thanks to dataroots for reaching out and hosting this event! 🙌 This edition is themed around Gateway API, the Kubernetes-native way to manage traffic routing that's quickly replacing the old Ingress era. **Agenda** 🕕 18\.00 — Doors open \| Food & drinks 🎤 18.30 — Welcome 18.45 — Gateway API: what it is and how to use it for self-hosting LLM models? *(Alaeddine Johmani and Alexander Pevzner, Dataroots)* 19.15 — Gateway API: Security Features and Aspects *(Philippe Bogaerts, BruCON)* ☕ 19.45 — Break 20.00 — Another way to think about gateway API *(Thibaut Lapierre, Red Hat)* 🤝 20.30 — Networking Whether you're deep into Istio, Envoy, or just curious what all the Gateway API fuss is about, this is the place to be. **Getting there** The location is close to the Leuven train station. If coming by car, the recommended parking is https://maps.app.goo.gl/xkf2hAjwt6FNErH38?g_st=ic

Shake off the workday and train with a welcoming crew of internationals and Brussels professionals. This is a **co-hosted session with F45 Brussels**—fast, fun, and coached circuit training that fits perfectly after work. **Why join?** * **Community vibe:** Friendly, social, in English. * **All levels welcome:** Coaches demo every move with **easier/harder options**. * **Time-smart:** 45 minutes, full-body, high energy, great music. * **Accountability:** Come with the group, leave with endorphins. **What we’ll do** 1. Quick intro & warm-up 2. **F45 functional circuits** (intervals that mix strength + cardio) 3. Team finisher & cool down 4. Optional post workout social drink/rooftop bowling nearby (meet new people, not just new burpees 😉) **Good to know** * **When:** Thursday, **6:30 PM start** (arrive 6:15 to check in) * **Where:** **F45 Brussels** (Brussels Central Station) Galeries Ravenstein * **Bring:** Clean trainers, towel, water bottle * **Fitness level:** Beginner to advanced (scalable stations) * **Capacity:** Limited spots — **RSVP required** * **Price:** Free weekly tryout **Who this is for** * New in Brussels and want a **friendly fitness + social** routine * Busy professional looking for a **structured, coached** workout * Sunday Vacations regulars who want to stay fit for hikes & trips **About F45** F45 = **Functional 45-minute training**: coach-led, station-based, results-driven. Expect variety, technique tips, and a positive team atmosphere. See you on the floor at 6:30! 💪🏽✨ By joining this event, you agree to the Sunday Vacations [Terms & Conditions](https://www.sundayvacations.com/terms), [Privacy Policy](https://www.sundayvacations.com/privacy) & [Code of Conduct](https://www.sundayvacations.com/code)

**Afterwork vibes. Sunset views. Great people.** Join us this Thursday for a relaxed rooftop evening above the EU district — the perfect way to unwind after work, meet like-minded internationals, and enjoy Brussels from a different perspective. This is a **small, curated gathering** to keep things social, easy, and high quality. *** ## ✨ What to expect * 🌇 Beautiful **sunset views over Brussels** * 🍹 Stylish rooftop bar (cocktails, wine, softs available) * 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Friendly group of people * 🎶 Chill, classy atmosphere (not a loud party) *** ## 📍 Practical info * **Location:** Sofitel Brussels Europe * **Meeting point:** Rooftop (enter Sofitel and take the lift) * **Time:** After work (see event time) * **Group size:** **Max. 15 participants** *** ## 🎟️ Reservation required (important) To ensure a smooth experience and avoid overcrowding, **a reservation is required**. * **Explorer members:** €5 to secure your spot * **Voyager & Ambassador members:** Included (free reservation) 👉 **Spots without reservation are not guaranteed** *** ## ⚠️ Good to know * Drinks are **paid individually at the bar** * Limitedty → first come, first served * This is a **social rooftop evening**, not a party *** ## 🌍 About Sunday Vacations A community of internationals in Brussels connecting through experiences, travel & good vibes. *** **Come for one drink… stay for the people ✨**

**🃏 WHAT WE PLAY** We focus on **social interaction games** that are **fun, easy to learn, and engaging**. * **Thursdays** and Saturday nights are for **fun, social games** like Dixit, Coup, Skull, Codenames, Colt Express, Secret Hitler, Exploding Kittens, Bang and more!… Easy to learn, quick to laugh! * **Mondays** are for **deeper strategic games**, for players who love to plan and outthink opponents. Of course, these are just guidelines — you’re always welcome to bring and play whatever game you love! *** **🕖 SCHEDULE** * We meet at **7:00 PM**, with an **intro round at 7:15 PM**. * Arriving later? No problem! Just see a host — we’ll do our best to find you a seat. You might need to wait for a game to finish before joining the next one. **🎉 Good News! BFG is Free Again** As of July 1st, 2025, BFG is once again **free to join**, just like last year! The costs of running the group are now shared by the hosts. If you enjoy the events and want to say thanks, you're very welcome to **offer a drink (or two 😉) to a host** during the evening. A huge thank you to everyone who supported us financially earlier this year — you helped keep the group going, and we truly appreciate it. 🙏 *** **🎒 WHAT TO BRING** * Bring your favorite games and feel free to mention them in the comments. * If we’re meeting in a **park**, bring snacks, drinks, and something comfy to sit on — the grass can be damp even in summer! *** **☕ IF THE VENUE IS A CAFÉ** Please order **at least one drink** to support the venue, and pay directly at the bar. *** **✅ REGISTRATION** Please RSVP to help us plan for space and group sizes. **⌛ WAITLIST ETIQUETTE** * If you can’t make it, cancel **before 7 PM the day before** to give someone else a chance. * If you're **on the waitlist** and your plans change, cancel your RSVP so others aren't left hanging. *** **🤝 WANT TO HOST?** Interested in becoming a host or helping out? Let us know — we’d love to have you on board! *** **💬 FEEDBACK WELCOME** Suggestions or ideas? Drop us a message anytime — we’re always looking to make BFG even better. *** ### **🌟 Let’s have fun, discover great** **games, and build and make new friends** *** ###

We will be walking through the forest for a little over 1 1/2 hours, silently, just noticing the world around us and inside us. The idea is to experience the magic of a different type of walking, The invitation is to slow down and notice what is going on inside you and around you. Very often people experience a closer connection with nature and with self, with sometimes surprising insights. *Please make sure you are fit enough to go the 4.5 km distance. We will be walking slowly, but we will not take any breaks.* We will be meeting at the Hermann Debroux Metro at **14h**. (Exit straight ahead after leaving the platform--on the Loxam side). If you RSVP as coming, please be on time. We will be starting our walk from there 5 min. after the hour sharp. There is the renovated Maison de Prieur at the exit of the forest where we could gather for a drink or a meal after our walk, depending on what you feel like. Looking forward to an inward adventure? Come and join us on **Saturday, June 20, at 14h** My phone number is 0472 92 11 76, in case you need to communicate with me.

✨ **Meet new people in Brussels in a friendly, relaxed and international atmosphere.** The ambience is relatively quiet, calm and sober for easy-going casual conversation, with no chaos and loud party music in the background! 🍻 Large selection of **drinks and food** available 🌍 **Internationals, expats & locals** welcome 💪 Organized weekly **since early 2025** 🌳 We have a **private outdoor garden** at the back of the brasserie entirely reserved for our Meetup throughout the whole summer! 📱Please **join our WhatsApp community** via the following invite link for receiving all the latest updates regarding this and many other social events in Bruxelles: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/FMjWrr9wCR7JYsudMD6XV0](https://chat.whatsapp.com/FMjWrr9wCR7JYsudMD6XV0) 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 **Over 10,000 members** **overall in our multicultural and diverse Brussels community!** Many of our participants work in EU institutions, NGOs, tech and international organizations. The event was also covered in a recent article from Brussels Times: [https://www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/1949146/euromeet-the-real-life-brussels-social-network](https://www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/1949146/euromeet-the-real-life-brussels-social-network) 😀 Our events usually attract **30–40 attendees each week**, with an age average of around 35 years old (the event announcement is relayed across multiple social media, not just on this page). Many participants come with friends or colleagues, so feel free to bring someone along! 👩 Our events usually also attract a **balanced mix of men and women**, and many participants attend solo for the first time. The organizer and host of the event will help introduce you to other participants, in case you don't know anyone else yet when you first arrive at the event. Our events remain a relaxed international social meetup experience focused on friendship, conversation and community — **not a dating event.** 🩷 **Safe, respectful environment, and zero tolerance for any harassment!** The organizer is always present all evening in case of problems. You can also leave any anonymous feedback about the event here under this form: [https://gmogni.aidaform.com/brasserie-meetup-feedback-form](https://gmogni.aidaform.com/brasserie-meetup-feedback-form) **.** Looking to meet new people and expand your social circle in Brussels, as well as your network of professional contacts? Join us **every Friday evening anytime from 18:30** **and until at least 23h** **at** **the** **“Quartier Leopold”** **brasserie**, in the heart of the famous Place du Luxembourg in front of the European Parliament, for a fun, relaxed night of **drinks, food, spontaneous conversations, and great vibes**! 💛 . 📍 **Location**: “Quartier Leopold” brasserie, Pl. du Luxembourg 9, 1050 Ixelles 📌 **Google Maps**: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/oCvSP1AGZNX2ZV3C8](https://maps.app.goo.gl/oCvSP1AGZNX2ZV3C8) (don't worry if you see the bar marked as "closed" on Google Maps for the Friday nights, they will always be open for us!) **🌐 Website of the venue**: [https://www.quartier-leopold.be/en](https://www.quartier-leopold.be/en) 📸 **Pictures gallery from previous events:** [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LRbsinA1wEtUrDhlyw8K6Uz9YKeq0_dw?usp=sharing](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LRbsinA1wEtUrDhlyw8K6Uz9YKeq0_dw?usp=sharing) . ✨ **Why you’ll love it**: ✅ **Everyone is welcome**, even if you don’t know anyone else yet—expats, locals, newcomers, solo adventurers, or groups! ✅ **Best time for newcomers:** 18:30–19:30, when it’s easier to meet people. ✅ Completely **free to attend**—just grab a drink and join the fun! Please ask the bartenders when you arrive if unsure where to find our meetup group and tables ✅ Possibility to make also useful **professional exchanges and networking** with other participants who work in similar domains, so remember to bring also your business card! ✅ Tons of **indoor and outdoor space available**. ✅ Possibility to have **dinner at the brasserie** during the meetup (until 22h), thanks to its comprehensive selection of dishes available in the menu: [https://www.quartier-leopold.be/web/content/1467?unique=b27f82e985f525417a92cbeaf0f1ac1c5e2fb4a0](https://www.quartier-leopold.be/web/content/1467?unique=b27f82e985f525417a92cbeaf0f1ac1c5e2fb4a0) ✅ **Want to keep the night going?** After the meetup, we often continue as a group to explore nightlife hotspots in the city center. . 💬 **Stay connected with our Community**: ▶️ Join our **Facebook/Messenger chat** to get updates and easily find the group on arrival:[ ](https://m.me/ch/Abaqvj9lxNT3_xh7/)[https://m.me/ch/AbaV86vk4SHop_eD/](https://m.me/ch/AbaV86vk4SHop_eD/) ▶️ Otherwise, if you prefer to use **WhatsApp**, please join this other group: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/FMjWrr9wCR7JYsudMD6XV0](https://chat.whatsapp.com/FMjWrr9wCR7JYsudMD6XV0) ▶️ And don’t forget to join our **EuroMeet Facebook group** for many more social events in Brussels: [https://www.facebook.com/groups/euromeet](https://www.facebook.com/groups/euromeet) ▶️ Finally, we also manage a **professional networking group on LinkedIn** as well, for more easily retrieving each other's LinkedIn profiles and identifying people who also work in similar domains: [https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13194613/](https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13194613/) . Come alone or bring a friend—either way, you’ll leave with **new friends, great memories, and maybe even some ideas on how to develop further your professional career!** See you this Friday! 🍻✨😀 . 📧 **Got questions or comments?** Reach out to the **organizer Gabriele**: gabriele.mogni@gmail.com . **Our community values respect and inclusiveness**. If you ever feel uncomfortable, the organizer is present all evening to help. . 👉 Please **Sign Up via this page** if you would like to attend our next event, so that we can plan accordingly. . *** #BrusselsMeetup #MeetupBrussels #BrusselsEvents #BrusselsSocial #MeetNewPeople #MakeNewFriends #ExpatsInBrussels #ExpatLifeBrussels #InternationalBrussels #InternationalFriends #BrusselsLife #SocialInBrussels #BrusselsCommunity #BrusselsNetworking #AfterWorkBrussels #FridayVibes #FridayNight #PlaceLuxembourg #EuropeanQuarter #EUQuarter #BrusselsExpats #BrusselsFriends #SocialEventsBrussels #BrusselsNightlife #BelgiumEvents #DiscoverBrussels #NewInBrussels #BrusselsActivities #EuroMeet #BrusselsTogether

Our last meetup before the summer break... 😀 What is the purpose of education? How should we order our priorities: acquiring knowledge, developing skills, assimilating values, ... ? To what extent should the role of education be to train students for future employment? Until which level of education should schooling be obligatory in today’s world? What should be the most important subjects comprising universal general education? Tailoring to individual differences vs moulding all students towards shared norms: what is the ideal balance? What is the ideal distribution between generalization and specialization? What qualifies a person to teach? What are the most important qualities a teacher should have? What should the roles of teacher and student be? How should teacher and student interact? How should students interact among themselves? Competition? Cooperation? Is passing exams a necessary component of learning? Is it sufficient? How can we determine the difference between "objective" education and propagandistic education? How separate or intertwined should state and school be? Does paying for one's (or one's children's) schooling compromise/prejudice that education? What, if anything, is missing or can be improved in our current systems and cultures of education? How is A.I. changing education? Is education increasingly turning into the urgent task of arming humans against A.I.? How can we best continue learning lifelong? How can we improve our learning *how* to learn? "Learning is a lifelong process; learning to learn, a lifelong task." [https://www.universitymagazine.ca/person-with-the-most-college-degrees/](https://www.universitymagazine.ca/person-with-the-most-college-degrees/) [https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/chennai-professor-vn-parthiban-with-150-degrees-most-educated-man-2808237-2025-10-25](https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/chennai-professor-vn-parthiban-with-150-degrees-most-educated-man-2808237-2025-10-25) [https://youtu.be/Q7SECM3vYKI?is=CwYZpxhoWPlwHyy6](https://youtu.be/Q7SECM3vYKI?is=CwYZpxhoWPlwHyy6) 😉 Image: concept by Alan Woo realized by ChatGPT

!!!!!!!!!!!!! READ ALL OF THIS - MANDATORY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If it is raining at or close to start time consider the ride cancelled. Common sense prevails. Ride length is generally about 35 kms at a pace of 18 kph with stops as needed so people catch up. We are advanced in terms of fitness and speed. We do have occasional beginner rides too. (http://redirect.viglink.com?key=bbb516d91daee20498798694a42dd559&u=https%3A//goo.gl/maps/qKG78wnW2dk) Please bring: A MOUNTAIN BIKE ! This is important. NO hybrids or road bikes - they won’t make it where we ride. The club is a MOUNTAIN BIKE club. E-Bikes are discouraged – we are trying to get some exercise 😊 A HELMET - MANDATORY ! No helmet = no ride with us. WEAR A HELMET !!!!!! And no, I don't care if you drove 2 hours and forgot your helmet ! Bring some water and a snack. A spare tube. DON'T BRING: A bike that is going to fall apart. Brakes need to brake, tires need to be properly inflated. Shifters need to shift ! The time to confirm this is a few days BEFORE the ride so you are not scrambling the morning of the ride. Don’t bring: kick stands, bike locks, fenders, baskets or fenders/mud guards they will just fall off and slow you down! Take this stuff off before you come. Meet at: Cool island / Ave Louise Avenue Louise 589, 1000 Bruxelles goo.gl/maps/qKG78wnW2dk (http://redirect.viglink.com?key=bbb516d91daee20498798694a42dd559&u=https%3A//goo.gl/maps/qKG78wnW2dk) As an FYI we're the http://www.bigm.be/ (http://redirect.viglink.com?key=bbb516d91daee20498798694a42dd559&u=https%3A//goo.gl/maps/qKG78wnW2dk) Big M mountain bike club. We invite you to come out and join us. If you decide that this is a club you'd like to join the yearly dues are 15 euros and that entitles you to access to our members only forum and calendar etc.

Meet and make the new Friends✨❤️

How do we connect to people? What is so great about being different? Is love selfless? Should we be dreamers or realists? What values are we losing? When are we at our best? Does childhood ever end? Is morality a matter of convenience? What makes a person beautiful? Such questions, and many more, await you Sunday at Sister's Cafe (second floor) . After introductions we will collect questions from the group participants, choose one by voting then discuss it for an hour. Then most of us stay for drinks and bizarre conversations :-).

**Somatic Movement** is a powerful method based on principles and wisdom from Eastern movement practices, such as yoga and Tai Chi, as well as Western techniques and insights from neuroscience, trauma therapy, and burnout recovery. The goal is to activate your body and brain by allowing energy to flow through your system without overloading the nervous system. This is achieved through gentle, intentional movements, stretches and exercises, but also by increasing awareness and sensory perception — both internally (within ourselves) and externally (of our surroundings). Combining tension-releasing stretches, easy flow-restoring exercises (using trees, branches, logs, stones, hills...), doing silent or touch meditations and playful authentic relating games, we're able to release a lot of stored tension and start to feel free, open-hearted, unassuming and adventurous again. The 2h-sessions focus on gradually increasing physical resilience, but include emotional and energetic aspects as well to restore balance in body, mind and spirit. There is no competitive stake, there are no extremes or high-intensity actions involved. But we do sometimes challenge our personal comfort zones a bit, sliding in and out, bumping into some limiting belief or conviction we might carry within. We learn by looking at things from different perspectives. The sessions are guided by seasoned therapist Ken. For more info on his practices, please visit: www.nieuwegrond.be **PRACTICAL** This is a free introduction session for you. But since this is a professional practice, where paying people might participate as well, we can only offer this once. If you wish to continue afterwards, you can talk to Ken personally or book through his website mentioned above. The session starts at 10h sharp and ends at 12h. Meeting and end-point is always Parking Forest Playground Everzwijnbad, Weertsedreef 16, Oud-Heverlee at the border of Meerdaelwoud. Please read the location description well, Google Maps can be a bit tricky. Since we're in the forest and will connect with trees, branches, soil etc, please make sure your clothes can handle this. If you wish, you can bring some water and small towel for comfort, but it's not a must. Please be aware that the organizer can not be held responsible for any damage or losses you might suffer. A safe environment is a priority for everyone. The event will be cancelled only when the weather really doesn't allow it. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask via personal message. We hope to see and connect with you there! Ken

Join us for conversations that go beyond small talk, diving into topics like the shifting nature of spirituality, the challenges and joys of midlife transitions, the impact of culture and capitalism, and the search for meaning in art, travel, and daily life. Our gatherings are about genuine, thought-provoking dialogue, with no set leader or strict agenda—just an open space to share ideas, perspectives, and experiences that matter to us. The direction of the discussion is shaped by everyone who shows up, making each event unique and enriching. Come ready to share, reflect, and connect with others who are also seeking deeper conversations. Let the conversation flow from topic to topic. Optional questions are listed below.

Optional Questions: Life Stages & Transitions

1. What did you think you'd have figured out by now that you're still completely winging?
2. When did you realize your parents' advice was for a world that no longer exists?
3. What are you finally old enough to stop pretending to care about?

Optional Questions: Identity After the Roles

4. Who are you when nobody needs anything from you?
5. What dream keeps resurfacing even though the "practical" time has passed?
6. How do you handle having the freedom you always said you wanted?

Optional Questions: AI & Being Human

7. What human experiences will AI never truly understand?
8. If machines handled all your have-to's, what would you actually do?
9. What becomes more precious as everything becomes automated?

Optional Questions: Belief & Meaning

10. What certainties have you given up, and what rushed in to fill that space?
11. How has knowing someone who died changed how you live?
12. What do you believe now that would shock your younger self?

Optional Questions: The Modern Psyche

13. What anxiety do you carry that previous generations didn't have?
14. Which of your survival strategies are you ready to retire?
15. What uncomfortable truth about happiness did it take you years to accept?

Optional Questions: Work & Purpose

16. When did you stop believing that your job would complete you?
17. What would you do for work if money and status weren't factors?
18. How has your definition of "making it" changed over the years?

Optional Questions: Relationships & Connection

19. What relationship dynamic do you keep recreating, and why?
20. When did you realize your parents were just people trying their best?
21. What kind of loneliness doesn't go away even when you're with others?

Optional Questions: Time & Mortality

22. What are you running out of time to say or do?
23. How differently do you spend your time knowing it's finite?
24. What will you regret not trying, even if you fail?

Optional Questions: Society & Culture

25. What social convention do you follow even though it makes no sense?
26. Which generation do you understand least, and what might you be missing?
27. What aspect of how we live now will seem insane in 20 years?

Optional Questions: Personal Philosophy

28. What rule for life did you create after learning something the hard way?
29. When did you stop believing that everyone else had it figured out
30. What paradox about life have you learned to live with?

Join us for a special edition of **Discussions for a Better World**—an uplifting, music‑infused gathering featuring rapper, educator, and community‑builder **[Colby Jeffers](https://www.colbyjeffers.com/)**[.](https://www.colbyjeffers.com/) Colby’s work blends **hip‑hop, storytelling, and spiritual principles** to spark conversations about unity, justice, purpose, and the shared responsibility we all carry in building a better world. His songs and writings explore what it means to rise above division, see the nobility in one another, and turn our daily actions into contributions to humanity. In commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, come and explore how we can unite as a people to build a better future! https://www.colbyjeffers.com/ Doors open at 7:00 pm. Complimentary snacks and refreshments will be provided. Plenty of free parking.

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Can Artificial Intelligence ‘See’?”** A look at how humans and artificial intelligence systems interpret the visual world in fundamentally different ways, with Arryn Robbins, assistant professor of psychology at the University of Richmond and cognitive scientist who researches visual attention, perception, and category learning. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-can-AI-see](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-can-AI-see) .] Artificial intelligence can now identify faces, categorize objects, describe scenes, and outperform humans on certain visual tasks. But does AI actually “see” the world the way that people do? Or does it arrive at correct answers using representations that differ markedly from human perception? Join Arryn Robbins of the University of Richmond for a fascinating exploration of how humans and AI construct meaning from visual information and a look at comparisons between human perception and AI that reveal just how dynamic and context-dependent our own visual systems really are. Dr. Robbins, who previously has given excellent Profs and Pints talks on flaws and biases in human visual perception, will draw from research in cognitive science, visual perception, and AI vision systems. She’ll explain how human perception is not merely a simple recording of the world, but an active process shaped by expectations, context, goals, and recent experience. You’ll learn how humans form flexible mental representations that allow us to recognize objects across changing environments and conditions, and why those representations continuously adapt as we interact with the world. Many AI systems, by contrast, learn visual categories through statistical patterns in data. They can produce impressive results, but sometimes they also produce strange and unexpected failures, and sometimes they classify images in ways that seem strange to us. Dr. Robbins will discuss what these differences reveal about the nature of perception itself, and why the mismatch between human and AI representations matters for technologies like self-driving cars, medical imaging, facial recognition, and automated surveillance. Important for anyone trying to understand the rapidly growing role of AI in daily life, this talk will explore one of the biggest questions in cognitive science and artificial intelligence: What does it actually mean to “see” and understand the world? (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: “Eye Farm” by Nevit Dilmen (Wikimedia Commons).

Click here to Register/RSVP: https://online.innerengineering.com/en/event-details/24199 Isha Kriya is a free guided meditation that takes only 12-18 minutes and can be easily practiced at home, work, or anywhere else. This meditation is designed to promote clarity, health, and joy, and its simplicity and effectiveness make it a truly special experience. Through regular practice, Isha Kriya can offer the following benefits: Decreased stress and negative emotions Enhanced clarity Heightened focus and energy Greater sense of peace and joy Duration: 60 minutes Open to all aged 12+ (Minors between 12-17 must be accompanied by an adult).

⚡ Reset your direction. Meet someone unexpected. Walk away with fresh clarity. Join us for a relaxed **small-group afternoon event** that blends a light **Inner Coach conversation experience** with a **community potluck lunch**. In February we hosted our first **Inner Coach event**, and many attendees said it helped them notice something powerful — the voice inside that quietly guides better decisions when life gets complicated. This event builds on that idea. Instead of overthinking the past, we’ll explore how to **reset direction for what’s next** — through thoughtful conversation, new perspectives, and the kind of questions that spark real insight. We’ll start with a few short conversation rounds designed to spark reflection, humor, and perspective — and then continue the discussion over food and relaxed conversation. Think **good food, grounded people, and real conversations about what comes next in life.** Held in our **Startup Garage** — a bright, comfortable living-room style space inside a single-family home. (Couches, food, conversation — **not an actual garage** 😊) *** ## **🥘 Potluck Lunch** If you're able, bring something small to share. Homemade or store-bought — both welcome. A dish you enjoy making. A dish that always works Or simply something easy from the store If you're busy, come anyway — the goal is **community, not perfection**. We’ll share a relaxed **afternoon potluck lunch** while continuing meaningful conversations with people navigating their next chapter. *** ## **What You’ll Experience** • Light conversation rounds designed to spark insight • Fresh perspectives from people navigating similar life transitions • Humor, perspective, and grounded conversation • A relaxed environment where ideas and connections happen naturally *** ## **Who Typically Attends** • Professionals in their 30s–40s–50s • Entrepreneurs and builders • Divorced or separated individuals navigating what’s next • People who prefer thoughtful conversation over surface-level small talk Whether you're **resetting direction, building something new, or simply meeting grounded people**, this event is designed for honest connection and fresh perspective. *** Most attendees are navigating life and growth with **curiosity, clarity, and a sense of humor.** 📍 Hosted in a spacious living-room setting inside a single-family home (Ashburn – 20147). Full address and parking details are emailed **2–3 days before the event.** 🌐 Learn more about the community [https://midlifereinvention.co](https://midlifereinvention.co) *** If you're curious about the **Inner Coach vs Inner Critic concept**, here’s a short introduction: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtgoDgqppGI](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtgoDgqppGI)