Ciis Public Programs & Performances

In this episode, Artificial Intelligence scientist and buddhist teacher Nikki Mirghafori and computer scientist Steve Omohundro discuss how the concept of karma can guide us as we push forward towards creating non-human intelligence.

Alexis Okeowo, a writer for the New Yorker, is joined in conversation by Mimi Lok from Voice of Witness to discuss the stories of ordinary people fighting extremism in Africa.

In this episode, artist, creative coder, and researcher, Roopa Vasudevan explores what technology and data can teach us about ourselves. This event was part of the Haresh and Joan Shah Lecture and Performance Series.

Khizr Khan, the Gold Star father who challenged Donald Trump during the 2016 campaign, is joined by CIIS faculty May Elawar for a conversation about what an American looks like and what being a nation of immigrants really means.

In this episode, integral teaching expert and CIIS Provost Liz Beaven shares ideas for changes to traditional education that can better prepare our children for the future. This talk was part of the Big Ideas at CIIS series.

Pioneering Silicon Valley entrepreneur and investor Magdalena Yesil came to the United States in 1976 with two suitcases and $43, unaware of the challenges she would face as an immigrant woman. In this episode, Magdalena is joined by CIIS professor Sara Salazar for a conversation about her life and the lessons she learned breaking glass ceilings to rise to the top in Silicon Valley and beyond.

In this episode, Dr. Yalom is joined in a conversation with CIIS core faculty Barbara Morrill about his life, his work, and the profound power of self-reflection.

Join San Francisco poet Brynn Saito for a conversation with Layli Long Soldier about her journey creating her latest collection of poetry WHEREAS, which she wrote as a response to the congressional resolution “Apology to Native Peoples.”

Journalist and author Sasha Abramsky is joined by CIIS professor Andrej Grubacic in this conversation about America's most dangerous epidemic: irrational fear.

In this conversation with CIIS professor Rachael Vaughan, award-winning neuroscientist Matthew Walker reveals his groundbreaking exploration of sleep, explaining how we can harness its transformative power to change our lives for the better.

Indie game developer turned social activist Zoë Quinn is joined by CIIS faculty Zara Zimbardo for a rare public conversation about her experience at the center of the Gamergate controversy and her journey to overcome it by working to make the internet a better, safer place for everyone.

In this episode, CIIS faculty Andrej Grubacic uncovers the relatively unknown history of exiles and activists and their impact on the past and future of the capitalist civilization. This talk was part of the Big Ideas at CIIS series.

In this conversation with Steven Tierney, Professor of Community Mental at CIIS, Pulitzer Prize finalist Robert Wright shares his journey exploring psychology, philosophy, and meditation to show how Buddhism holds the key to moral clarity and enduring happiness.

Pussy Riot founder Nadya Tolokno is joined by artist and activist Jadelynn Stahl for a conversation about how to triumph in the new political and social landscape.

Authors Sean Kelly, Sam Mickey, and Adam Robbert are joined by public radio journalist and CIIS grad Kat Snow in a conversation about ecology as a connective science and its impact on our society.

This episode features Brewster Kahle, Digital Librarian and founder of the Internet Archive, and Wikimedia Foundation Creative Director Heather Walls in conversation about the Internet and how its systems exhibit impermanence as well as permanence over time.

Award-winning author and scholar David George Haskell is joined by CIIS professor Elizabeth Allison for a conversation about nature's most magnificent net workers.

Richard Tarnas, founding director of the graduate program in Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness at CIIS, shares historical and present day correlations between planetary movements and the archetypal patterns during the Summer of Love.

Author and journalist Jo Piazza is joined in conversation by CIIS professor Nicolle Zapien to explore wedding and marriage rituals, customs, and traditions throughout the world.

In this episode, robotics engineer turned consciousness hacker Mikey Siegel is joined in conversation by Alexander Reben, an artist and roboticist. The two discuss the ethical implications of recent developments in artificial intelligence and technology.