Meetup

I recently attended a fascinating discussion forum hosted by CASHE and the New York Artificial Intelligence Meetup Group that tackled some of the most profound questions about AI, consciousness, and humanity’s future. The conversation brought together diverse perspectives on topics that sit at the intersection of technology, philosophy, and existential risk. The Central Question: Can AI Be Truly Conscious? The discussion opened with what many consider the fundamental question of our technological age: Could an artificial system ever truly be conscious, or are we destined to create only sophisticated imitations? ...

AgileRTP Meetup - Fostering Collaborative Innovation through Improv May 6, 2025 | Presented by Tiffany Rozell Meeting Overview Tiffany Rozell, Principal Agile Practitioner for Red Hat in AI Engineering, led a session exploring how improvisation techniques can foster collaborative innovation in teams. The interactive meeting included practical improv exercises that participants engaged in remotely. Introduction & Background Tiffany is writing a book on Inclusive Innovation She has experience with improv in academic settings (Virginia Tech and Executive MBA program) Initially hesitant about improv herself, she discovered its value for workplace collaboration Connections Between Improv & Agile Improv aligns with agile principles: responding to change over following a plan Key aspects of improv parallel agile practices: Being present and focused (especially important in virtual settings) Adaptability and quick pivoting Building psychological safety Bringing voices into conversations (especially those who might not normally speak up) Encouraging experimentation and risk-taking Benefits of Improv in the Workplace Creativity Enhancement: Reduces pressure to have perfect ideas by encouraging quantity over quality Listening & Collaboration: Reinforces true co-creation rather than competition Psychological Safety: Creates environments where people feel safe to contribute Energy & Morale: Reduces burnout by adding fun and boosting dopamine Physiological Benefits: Laughter and engagement trigger chemical changes that improve creativity Exercise 1: Name Game with Adjectives Participants introduced themselves with an adjective sharing their first initial, then repeated all previous introductions before adding their own. ...