Human Energy Seattle Salon
It is our pleasure to invite you to our next Human Energy Global Salon, an intimate, invitation-only gathering of thought leaders, innovators, and changemakers from across sectors. Join us for this special evening exploring the theme Smart Cities as Living Systems, as we consider cities as vital nodes in the emerging noosphere—the evolving sphere of human thought, knowledge, communication, and collective intelligence. How might cities evolve beyond systems optimized primarily for efficiency toward living environments that strengthen our capacity to think and act collectively, while becoming more resilient, ecologically responsive, and supportive of human and planetary flourishing?
As cities become increasingly shaped by data, digital infrastructure, and artificial intelligence, they are emerging as critical spaces where humanity’s relationship with technology, nature, and one another is being negotiated. This salon invites us to consider cities not simply as “smart” systems, but as living social and ecological environments dynamically connected to the people, communities, and places they inhabit.
This event is an experience designed to ignite imagination, foster meaningful connection, and catalyze our fragmented knowledge into big-picture, boundary-crossing insight.
A Transformative Evening of Ideas and Connection
We’ll gather in Seattle for an evening that promises both deep intellectual stimulation and authentic human connection:
Artfully Catered Reception, with thoughtful conversation prompts, to inspire curiosity, connection, and exchange
Stimulating Panel Discussion featuring leading thinkers and practitioners working across urban ecology, civic data, sustainability, public policy, and civic innovation
Dynamic Q&A Session and Open Discussion, inviting your voice into the larger conversation
Purposeful Networking with leaders across sectors interested in shaping more intelligent, resilient, and flourishing cities
Our Distinguished Speakers
This Human Energy Global Salon brings together a remarkable group of thinkers and practitioners:
Dr. Marina Alberti — Professor of Urban and Environmental Planning at the University of Washington, studying cities as hybrid ecosystems and drivers of socio-ecological innovation
Dr. Daniel T. O’Brien — Urban informatics scholar at Northeastern University studying neighborhoods, civic data, and equitable urban systems
Lylianna Allala — Director of the City of Seattle Office of Sustainability & Environment and an Obama Foundation Leaders USA 2024–2025 participant
Zach Silk — President of Civic Ventures, accomplished entrepreneur, campaign executive, and strategist
Together, we’ll ask: What would it mean for a city to become collectively intelligent?
In contrast to top-down, technocratic models of the “smart city,” we’ll explore how urban intelligence might emerge through broad participation, ecological awareness, civic connection, and responsiveness to place. How might cities use technology without allowing technological efficiency to become the sole measure of progress? How can urban systems strengthen resilience and democratic participation while remaining accountable to their environmental and planetary context? And what might it look like for our cities to contribute not only to economic growth or efficiency, but to greater coherence and flourishing at both human and planetary scales?
The conversation will be hosted and moderated by Dr. Sheila Hassell Hughes, CEO of Human Energy.
Our Global Salons are intentionally intimate in-person events. Limited seating is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. You may register yourself and a +1 guest at the “Request to Join” link above. Please look for an email from Human Energy to confirm your admission.