Hack the System

It may appear as though AI is the next phase of industrial evolution. However, AI is, like previous forms of technology, merely a catalyst for evolution. The shadow looming over us is of the giant of cultural revolutions — particularly the cultural hurricanes rapid industrial growth inevitably causes. As tech CEOs usher us through the doors of high-surveillance transhumanism, there is another hidden invitation in the chaos. A whisper to understand the Self-as-a-System. To use biology to map the various intelligences of the self and answer one ultimate question:

Can human collaboration ever be as efficient as the neural network of a data centre?

Each Thursday, we explore what nature already knows about computation — coherence, feedback, and adaptive intelligence — and how these principles redesign the way humans collaborate. This is achieved through an hour of conversation, an hour of immersive simulated strategy, and half an hour of reflection. Game details are announced the Wednesday prior to the session.

The rules are simple:

•No weapons. Zero tolerance for physical violence or disturbances.
•Wear something daring and beautiful, whatever that means to you. Dress up. Come as your character. Wearing something that reflects the character you wish to embody is crucial to gameplay; participants are required to adhere to this rule, observers are exempt.
•Gameplay is limited to 20 participants.
•Be respectful of the perspectives of others. AI is a polarising topic, a technology unfortunately used in many detrimental ways. It is also a beneficial technology that will not disappear. If your opinions are so much more important than a stranger's, that you would ruin other people's good time to defend your thoughts, please stay home. ♡
•Be curious, above all things. This is a space and opportunity for high-concept exploration.

Agenda — Thursday, 22 January, 2026
Conversation: AI Deception and Programming Limitations
Game: The Black Box
For online voyeurists: https://calendar.app.google/6Gu3XbatQ8CL3Q8c7

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Host or Publisher Atom Institute