FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 21, 2024
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Spencertown Academy Conversations with Neighbors Presents “Let’s Chat About AI”
Free Event on April 21
Spencertown, New York–Spencertown Academy Arts Center Conversations with Neighbors presents “Let’s Chat About AI” on Sunday, April 21 at 2:00pm. A panel led by AI guru James Hendler will consider this ubiquitous phenomenon and its effect on a variety of human endeavors: technology, art, music, and society. Hendler will kick off the discussion with his own views on the subject, followed by a discussion with a diverse array of local luminaries, including Abby Fiorella, Stefan Kehlenbach, Orin Knopp, Victoria Sullivan, and Dusty Wright, moderated by Doug Grunther. While admission is free, advance reservations are requested via www.spencertownacademy.org.
The Conversations with Neighbors Committee is co-chaired by Lisa Bouchard Hoe and Cindy Atkins. “AI is already a large part of and appears to be improving our everyday lives, but many people fear it,” says Bouchard Hoe. “Let’s learn more about this imposing new presence from some of our brilliant community members who are engaging with the technology.”
James Hendler is the Tetherless World Senior Constellation Professor of Computer, Web and Cognitive Science and director of the Future of Computing Institute at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, as well as a frequent panelist on WAMC radio on AI and cybersecurity.
Abby Fiorella served in senior leadership roles for Mastercard for two decades, most recently as chief technology risk officer (CTRO), a function she created to advance strategic enterprise priorities and position security, reliability, and resilience as a competitive differentiator. In her three years as CTRO, she built a global team of 160 professionals and advised the board of directors and CEO on technology risk, compliance, and cyber/data-security matters.
Stefan Kehlenbach is assistant professor of political science at the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the University at Albany, SUNY. His research focuses on the intersection of technology, structures of power, and politics. His current research is focused on technological power, asking how the vast collection of data, used to fuel technology such as AI and machine learning becomes invested with discourses of power and shapes our political futures.
Orin Knopp is CEO of Presentation Products, a leading provider of turnkey audiovisual solutions in the tri-state area for over 20 years. With offices in New York City, the company’s staff of more than 40 professionals provides audiovisual integration services ranging from project planning to post installation training and support, including integrating AI into corporate systems.
Poet and playwright Victoria Sullivan has experimented with using AI in her poetry. She performs her poetry with jazz musicians at clubs and bars in Woodstock, New York, as well as at numerous other venues in the Hudson Valley and is the “poet laureate” of the Woodstock Roundtable on WDST 100.1 fm.
Dusty Wright is a musician, producer, and writer, and a former editor-in-chief of the music magazine, Creem. He co-founded the audio podcasting and video webcasting online pop-culture magazine, CultureCatch.com, and has investigated AI for composing music.
Doug Grunther is the creator/host of Radio Woodstock’s award-winning talk program, “The Woodstock Roundtable.” For 41 years, he has provided thought-provoking and entertaining conversations with world-renowned thinkers and artists.
Spencertown Academy Arts Center Conversations with Neighbors is an occasional series designed to spark neighbor-to-neighbor conversations and celebrate the richness and diversity of the Columbia County community. This program is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Founded in 1972, Spencertown Academy Arts Center is a cultural center and community resource serving Columbia County, the Berkshires, and the Capital region. Housed in a landmark 1847 Greek Revival schoolhouse, the Academy is located at 790 State Route 203 in Spencertown, New York. For more information, please contact info@spencertownacademy.org.