Join us for a reflective online conversation with Dr. Angel Acosta and the Executive Director of the Garrison Institute Steve Varley, exploring the deeper human and spiritual questions emerging alongside artificial intelligence. This webinar is a primer for the upcoming two-day virtual conference, on the same topic October 17-18. Register HERE.

 

In this short session, we will consider how AI is reshaping our understanding of intelligence, creativity, consciousness, relationship, and what it means to be human and how this will be presented in the larger conference. 

 

Drawing on contemplative practice, spiritual inquiry, and the Garrison Institute’s longstanding commitment to human and social transformation, the conversation will invite participants to look beyond questions of productivity and disruption and toward the wisdom, discernment, and imagination this moment requires.

 

WHAT WE WILL EXPLORE

 

• Consider AI as a human and spiritual inquiry, not only a technological one.
• Explore what contemplative and wisdom traditions can offer in a period of rapid technological change.
• Reflect on how we might shape AI in service of human dignity, community, and flourishing.

 

This webinar offers an entry point into the questions at the heart of the upcoming Garrison Institute virtual conference, Artificial Intelligence and Our Spiritual Imagination. Whether you are approaching AI through technology, spirituality, leadership, education, or creativity, this conversation will create space to slow down, reflect, and consider what kind of future we want to help create.

SPEAKERS

Dr. Angel Acosta is a visionary educator, scholar, and facilitator, leading efforts at the intersection of healing-centered education, contemplative practice, and leadership development. As the director of the Garrison Institute Fellowship, Dr. Acosta is dedicated to nurturing a global community of change-makers. the intersection of contemplative practice and social change. Since joining Garrison, he has helped shape and expand initiatives including the Spirituality and Social Change program, the Bioregional Resilience Project, and explorations of contemplative and systems-level perspectives in graduate business education. His previous leadership experience includes roles at National Public Radio (NPR) and the University of North Carolina, where his work focused on institutional strategy, partnership, and development.

 

 

Steve Varley serves as Managing Director of the Garrison Institute, where he leads strategy, program development, and organizational partnerships across the Institute’s work at the intersection of contemplative practice and social change. Since joining the Garrison Institute, he has helped shape and expand initiatives including the Spirituality and Social Change program, the Bioregional Resilience Project, and an exploration of contemplative and systems-level perspectives in graduate business education. Steve’s previous roles include positions at National Public Radio, Yale University, and the University of North Carolina, where his tenure in development was marked by record-breaking fundraising years and a distinctive orientation toward community partnership- including deep engagement with the Lumbee Tribe. He is a practicing member of the Zen Peacemakers, an interfaith social engagement order.

 

Please contact us for questions and inquiries at events@garrisoninstitute.org.

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