Artificial Intelligence and Our Spiritual Imagination

On May 30, we were joined on the Garrison Institute Fellowship Forum by renowned philosopher, writer, and activist, Dr. Bayo Akomolafe, in conversation with Dr. Angel Acosta. This engaging session explored the intersection of artificial intelligence and our spiritual imagination, offering a unique perspective on AI.
About Dr. Bayo Akomolafe: Dr. Bayo Akomolafe is the Chief Curator of The Emergence Network, a speaker, author, and fugitive neo-materialist public intellectual. He is a celebrated international speaker and author of two books, “These Wilds Beyond our Fences: Letters to My Daughter on Humanity’s Search for Home” and “We Will Tell our Own Story: The Lions of Africa Speak.” Dr. Akomolafe’s work focuses on the intersections of social justice, spirituality, and postactivism, inviting us to embrace complexity and uncertainty in our quest for a more equitable and connected world.
About Dr. Angel Acosta: For over a decade, Dr. Angel Acosta has worked to bridge leadership, social justice, and mindfulness. He holds a doctorate in curriculum and teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University, and has supported educational leaders through dynamic learning experiences and leadership trainings. Dr. Acosta consults for organizations like the NYC Department of Education, UNICEF, and Columbia University, and he is the creator of the “Contemplating 400 Years of Inequality Experience.
The Garrison Institute’s mission is to apply the transformative power of contemplation to today’s pressing social and environmental concerns, helping build a more compassionate, resilient future. Working collaboratively with practitioners in diverse fields, it provides a hub for ongoing learning networks. Please consider making a donation so that we may continue this vital work.

[@isabeldelrosario]

I loved this conversation. It would be wonderful if someone could edit and read the questions that are briefly displayed. Many of us tend to listen and not watch fully these types of videos and we thus miss the questions he is responding to.

[@Kwillisnyc2HK]

I'm a better being having listened to both of you and received your offerings over the past few years. Thank you for this conversation.

[@fionamclennan1470]

Consciousness may not require self ~ however does that doesnt preclude the concept of consciousness delighting in self ... much like consciousness doesn't require the scent of Rose to experience itself as Flower ... and yet how barren to reduce the riot of diverse aromas, colours and forms ... to Flower. Not to mention that Individual flowers have individual chemistry that is specifically medicinal for humans emotionally, spiritually, mentally and physically. I think human unique finger print is like that. A unique medicine, grown in specific environment that has a unique fragrance to waft upon the world. I wonder why we cannot speak of interconnected Oneness in the same sentence as unique fingerprint .. of course we can ... because I just did 😅 Speaking of fingerprints ... interesting we have these extraordinary swirls on the end of our fingertips with no purpose other that to symbolise unique identity. Which says to me ~ unique identity is worth considering as an important part of the existential equation?

[@kellyblaser]

Love the metaphor that we are perhaps, at moments, like ants in a pheromonal death spiral. I’ve heard someone - I think Joscha Bach - say that humans are currently in a “swarming phase “. So perhaps humanity’s relationship with the field of intelligence is disrupted by this swarming phase we’re in.

[@fionamclennan1470]

Popular renditions of justice were never adequate. I feel these times are just revealing what was so ... across the board ...

[@fionamclennan1470]

"Nature isnt natural" I'm interested in why the action of " ... constantly producing and departing and doing things that may not be conveniently located in language" would be construed as artificial or unatural? Sounds pretty natural to me ... I would love to hear more on that ...

[@tompauly1021]

Wow! Looking forward to the next session! It would be wonderful to have James Bridle's perspective

[@fionamclennan1470]

In fact it could follow that a table could be conscious

[@jacquesvincelette6692]

Pushing consciousness beyond ego-centrism.

[@fionamclennan1470]

Claude was my first too ... my only still

[@fionamclennan1470]

So AI is indebted to the squishiness too? 😅

[@fionamclennan1470]

The squishiness created AI?

[@fionamclennan1470]

If intelligence is not human ~ then it could follow that AI could be conscious