Let’s Chat about AI

Admission is free, registration is requested.

As part of our Conversation with Neighbors series, 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. James Hendler will kick off the discussion with his own view on the subject , followed by a discussion with a panel of diverse luminaries: Abby Fiorella, Stefan Kehlenbach, Orin Knopp, Victoria Sullivan, and Dusty Wright, moderated by Doug Grunther.

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 theUniversity 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 turn-key audiovisual solutions nationwide area for over 30 years.  Serving the Corporate, Higher Education, K-12, Hospitality, Government and Military markets, in projects large and small, we have the unique experience required to deliver the best solution for our customers. Headquartered in New York City, our staff of more than 100 professionals provide audiovisual integration services ranging from project planning to post installation training and support.  Integrating AI into the corporate system.

Poet and playwright Victoria Sullivan 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.

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 programs are 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.