A Bohm Dialogue on human, more-than-human, and artificial intelligences

​This one day workshop is for anyone who wishes to co-inquire into the rapid increase of AI and the real-time and future implications for humans and nature. Whether you see potential, or feel a sense of concern or overwhelm, the purpose of this dialogue is to listen to diverse perspectives and connect to individual and shared experiences and meanings.

​It is also an invitation to slow down and reconnect to the innate creative intelligence and wisdom of humans and the more-then-human. As described by Quantum Physicist and philosopher, David Bohm, “the deep source of intelligence is the unknown and indefinable totality from which all perception originates.”

​Participation does not require any level of ‘expertise’ or knowledge, just a willingness to participate and listen deeply and share meaning. The workshop will combine simple thought-provoking exercises and Bohm Dialogue to collectively explore and co-inquire into three aspects of intelligence; human, more-than-human and artificial, and ask ourselves, what is at stake?

​The workshop will offer a series of short framing exercises, individually, in pairs and small groups. These simple creative exercises are designed to cultivate curiosity and stimulate deeper thinking on universal experiences and feelings that can be explored in more depth during the dialogue. The dialogue itself is practised seated in a circle: creating an inclusive and non-hierarchical space. The process requires deep listening that allows for inquiry into what is important to individuals and the group. Participants are not required to speak unless they feel moved to do so; the group will follow the ‘flow of meaning’ and moments of silence are welcome. Dialogue does not require agreement during the process or specific outcomes. However, it does require a willingness to participate with respect, openness and non-judgement.

​Schedule

​09:45 - 10:00: Arrival and settling in 

​10:05 - 10:30: Outline of the day, check-in, mindfulness

​10:30 - 11:00: Human intelligence - framing exercises

​11:00 - 12:00: Intro to dialogue and guidelines, dialogue

​12:00 - 12:15: Break

​12:15 - 13:00: More-than-human intelligence - framing exercises 

​13:00 - 14:00: Lunch (and optional creative activity) 

​14:00 - 14:30: Mindfulness and check-in

​14:30 - 16:00: Human, more-than-human, and artificial intelligences - dialogue, check-out

​“The basic idea of this dialogue is to be able to talk while suspending your opinions, holding them in front of you, while neither suppressing them nor insisting upon them. Not trying to convince, but simply to understand. The first thing is that we must perceive all the meanings of everybody together, without having to make any decisions or saying who’s right and who’s wrong. It is more important that we all see the same thing. That will create a new frame of mind in which there is a common consciousness. It is a kind of implicate order, where each one enfolds the whole consciousness. With the common consciousness we then have something new-a new kind of intelligence.” - David Bohm, On Creativity

​The event will be facilitated by Jessica Ball, founder of Creating Meaning. Find out more about her work with Bohm Dialogue here - https://www.creatingmeaning.club/dialogue-resources