ai salon: Community & Human Connectivity
As our lives become increasingly mediated by algorithms, we face a growing paradox: we are more “networked” than ever before, yet experiencing an epidemic of loneliness and social fragmentation. The same algorithms that can isolate us—automating our communications and curating individual realities—also possess an unprecedented capacity to bridge gaps, matching people with shared interests, needs, and values.
AI x Community & Human Connectivity sits at this intersection: exploring how we can intentionally use and design artificial intelligence to deepen our relationships, enhance our social fabric, and help us find alignments with one another, rather than driving us further apart.
This salon is an informal gathering for people working across social technology, community building, psychology, human-computer interaction, and AI research.
This is an organic casual conversation, not so much for professional networking - though it is about connecting.
We're aiming for a conversation around questions such as:
What are our emotional responses to the ways that AI is shifting the social contract?
How is the integration of AI in our daily emails and messaging damaging our authentic relationships, and in what ways might it actually be useful?
What are some possible ways AI could genuinely enhance human connection and help us find each other in meaningful ways?
Can algorithms be designed to optimize for community trust and deep engagement, rather than just attention and endless scrolling?
What does an AI tool look like that encourages us to spend more time offline with one another?
How do we preserve the human nuance, vulnerability, and serendipity of socializing when our communication platforms are increasingly automated?
What role should community organizers and sociologists play in guiding the development of consumer AI products?
And how can we leverage the current acceleration in AI to actively combat the loneliness epidemic?
The goal of these sessions is to bring together people who do not usually end up in the same room: AI researchers, community builders, sociologists, product designers, mental health advocates, and everyday users.
Format
A 90-minute, Chatham House rule round-table. We’ll open with a 5-minute provocation, hold open discussion and close with shared “next actions” to take with going forward.
This is for you if you are building, researching, organizing, or simply thinking about the future of human connection in the age of AI.
Note: We'll have tea & light snacks, feel free to bring your own food for the session.
Suggested Donation for Space: $10