Tech/Ish: AI <3 Humans - "In a Relationship" or "It's Complicated"?

Tech/ish gatherings are for diverse groups to explore the impacts of AI and build agency in shaping its future. Facilitated by Lauren Mecca, an art history major also seasoned in implementing AI-powered business solutions.

NOTE: Beverages and light snack provided. Location in West or Downtown Asheville TBA.

At this Tech/ish gathering, we will:

• Examine how AI may - or may not - be approaching some aspects of consciousness
• Discuss whether it matters if these lines are blurred

We'll explore perspectives from AI researchers who believe consciousness may emerge from sophisticated systems, neuroscientists who argue AI can never replicate human connection, and the Google engineer fired for claiming an AI was sentient.

The questions we'll grapple with:

• Who benefits from AIs having autonomy, self-awareness, subjectivity?
• Did AI actually write a poem - or the human that prompted it?
• If we can't prove that AI isn't conscious, how should we treat it—and who decides?

Whether you think AI consciousness is inevitable, impossible, or irrelevant—this conversation will change how you interact with the technology reshaping our world.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Tech/ish