Being Human in the Age of AI

Date and Time

Saturday, Dec 12, 2026 12:30pm - 3:30am

Location

Details

Artificial intelligence is transforming not only how we work, but how we understand intelligence, creativity, relationships—and ourselves. As technology reshapes our world, and we navigate increasing polarization, uncertainty, and social change, we face questions that extend far beyond AI itself: What does it mean to be human in this moment? How do we stay connected across differences? And what capacities do we need to navigate complexity, engage in difficult conversations, and help shape the future we want to create?

Part conversation, part embodied practice, and part collective exploration, this three-hour workshop invites us to consider how we can meet these challenges with greater presence, creativity, compassion, and courage. Rather than focusing solely on artificial intelligence, we’ll explore the kind of AI that is necessary for wisdom in action—aesthetic intelligence—our distinctly human capacity to perceive, feel, imagine, and make meaning through our senses, bodies, relationships, and lived experiences.

Drawing from trauma-informed, ethically-grounded contemplative practice, psychology, somatic awareness, and traditions of community-based social change, we’ll explore practical ways to navigate stress and reactivity, remain curious in the face of disagreement, and strengthen our capacity to stay engaged with what matters most.

Through guided mindfulness and embodied practices, reflection, dialogue, and collective imagination, we’ll ask: What helps us remain grounded when conversations become difficult? How can we listen across differences without abandoning our values? What becomes possible when we strengthen our capacities for connection, discernment, creativity, and compassion? And how can we sustain the courage and resilience needed for meaningful collective action?

Rather than simply bracing ourselves for disruption or withdrawing in the face of uncertainty, we’ll consider a different possibility: What if this moment is an invitation to become more fully human?

Together, we’ll practice ways of moving from reactivity toward responsiveness, from disconnection toward relationship, and from overwhelm toward meaningful engagement—cultivating the inner and collective capacities to meet the challenges of our time and imagine what might become possible together.

Rhonda V. Magee, M.A., J.D., is a leading mindfulness practices innovator, storyteller and author whose teachings, community building and creativity-based practices explore the healing powers of soulful, heartful mindfulness. A recovering full-time tenured law professor, she is Professor of Law, Emerita, and was the Founding Director of the Center for Contemplative Law and Ethics at the University of San Francisco School of Law. Professor Magee has been featured on stages ranges from Parliament to the United Nations’ World Headquarters in Geneva. A prolific and award-winning author, she is best known for The Inner Work of Racial Justice: Healing Ourselves and Transforming Our Communities Through Mindfulness (Penguin RandomHouse TarcherPerigee: 2019). Her current work-in-progress, WE ARE THE MOUNTAIN (forthcoming, Penguin RandomHouse TarcherPerigee: 2027) presents “soulhearted” awareness practices as central to remaking our way toward flourishing for all.

Nichol Chase, E-RYT 500, TSM, is an educator, musician, and contemplative teacher specializing in resilience science, trauma-informed care, and embodied wisdom practices. She is a Garrison Institute Fellow and founder of the Wisdom Building Method School, where she developed a 300-hour trauma-informed yoga teacher training integrating movement, mindfulness, and music. Nichol has presented at UCSF, UC Berkeley, ACHS, Spirit Rock, Kripalu, Esalen, and BrainMind. She is the co-author of a chapter on trauma-informed yoga for the Palgrave Handbook of Third-Wave Psychotherapy, alongside scholars from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, James Cook University, Bangor University, and Santa Clara University. A classically trained ballerina and opera singer, she brings a refined aesthetic sensibility to her teaching. Her work focuses on equipping individuals and communities with practical tools to navigate stress, heal trauma, and cultivate resilient, meaningful lives.