First, it is very exciting to note that the Summer Research Seminar this week will feature dialogues with representatives from an alphabet soup of Quaker organizations. Evening sessions will include folks from QEW, QUNO, AFSC, CFC, FAHE, EQAT, FCNL and Friends Fiduciary – as well as, of course, QIF 😉
The focus of those dialogues as well as the earlier sessions in the day will all deal in different ways with how Quakers are and/or should be responding to these turbulent times in light of their testimonies on truth, nonviolence, ecological resilience, and other spiritual leadings. It is not too late to join us. To register, go to: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSds8pW1MsO5K0abLaTNcAjzvccPnxv84M0_9ZXwX9wv51pafA/viewform To make sure your registration is noted and you get the program materials promptly, please also drop me a note at: gray@coa.edu
Second, please spread the word that one of our recent publications is now available in a Spanish version as a free, Creative Commons text ¿Planeta más Inteligente o Tierra más Sabia? Diálogo y Colaboración en la Era de Inteligencia Artificial? It can be downloaded here: https://smarterplanetorwiserearth.com/2024/01/16/planeta-mas-inteligente-o-tierra-mas-sabia/. This is a translation of Smarter Planet or Wiser Earth? How Dialogue can Transform Artificial Intelligence into Collaborative Wisdom available in a Creative Commons version at: https://smarterplanetorwiserearth.com/2024/01/16/planeta-mas-inteligente-o-tierra-mas-sabia/. The translation was prompted by a tour I made in Mexico in which I gave talks on the English text to a variety of university and government groups who expressed a strong interest in the material and in sharing access to it in Spanish. As those of you who are are already familiar with the English version of the book know, it includes QR links to original songs that are offered as part of the argument of the text and one was written originally in Spanish as “Todos Somos Otros”. It makes use of language in Spanish which can not be easily translated directly into English. In part, this is because in Spanish one can refer to “them all” or those others (“los otros”) and “you all” (“vosotros”) and “us all” (“nosotros”) with pronouns that make it clear that all of us are “others” (“otros”). The idea that we are all Others is central to understanding humans and making peace with them. If you would like to give it a listen, here you go: https://smarterplanetorwiserearth.com/2023/04/01/todos-somos-otros/
On a related note concerning artificial intelligence, the Circle of Discernment on AI has been collaborating with members of the FCNL Policy Committee to work on Friends’ Testimony on Artificial Intelligence. Members of the COD are looking for opportunities to share material on ways to promote affordable, ethical, legal, safe AI that is not tied to advertising or data harvesting that makes users into products. We are seeking dialogue with Quakers on how best to discern our testimonies on this issue and live them out. If you would be interested in reviewing materials and hosting conversations in your Meeting or with other groups, please let us know at gray@coa.edu.