Events

Karen Hao will give a book talk on Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAI in Rackham Auditorium on October 20th, 5 pm. Prior to the talk, ESC will co-host a book reading event for folks who would like to read and discuss the book together on the evening of October 14th (Tuesday). A virtual pre-event discussion […]

Talk Abstract As Artificial Intelligence claims increasing influence over our lives, it’s easy to believe AI’s creeping dominance is inevitable. But is it? Join award-winning journalist Karen Hao and Patrick Barry, clinical assistant professor at the University of Michigan Law School, for an eye-opening discussion on Hao’s best-selling book, “Empire of AI.” Please use the link here to register […]

Abstract A digital revolution is reshaping Cuba. Despite restrictions on free speech and assembly, a new generation is using social media to debate, inform, and challenge the authoritarian status quo. From animal rights campaigns to the mass July 2021 protests, these movements have been organized and documented through independent digital platforms. Young people, intellectuals, and […]

Connect over lunch with folks from a wide variety of groups, methods, departments, and disciplines who are interested in or working on Critical AI! During the lunch, there will be lightning talks from multiple graduate students in the interdisciplinary workshop. It is a wonderful chance to get to know each others’ focuses, followed by open […]

Abstract For the survival of all our ecologies, we must refuse human centricity and build networks of care across lines of species and liveliness. This talk stitches a line from trans people to an expanded conception of trans, using a focus on trans ecological poetics to go beyond a focus on the human. I broaden […]

Abstract A digital world in relentless movement---from artificial intelligence to ubiquitous computing---has been captured and reinvented as a monoculture by Silicon Valley "big tech" and venture capital firms. Yet very little is discussed in the public sphere about existing alternatives. Based on long-term field research in the Pacific Rim, Common Circuits explores a transnational network […]

Abstract The insidious legacy of eugenics lives on in the techno-surveillance, algorithmic authoritarianism, and data-driven discrimination of Big Tech. This talk illuminates the throughline between the 19th century's anti-immigration and eugenics movements and our sprawling systems of techno-surveillance and algorithmic discrimination. I'll address how the AI-driven and market-based models of Big Tech are built on […]

Britt Paris from Rutgers University will be giving a talk on Monday April 27 at 12:00-1:30 in the Dow Event Room, hosted by the Political Economy and Algorithms Collective and co-sponsored by ESC. Please RSVP if you plan to attend in person, and consider signing up for a research chat or for dinner. Please come if you'd like […]

  The Center for Ethics, Society, and Computing invites all ESC researchers and an ESC-curious guest to our Winter Mixer for the ESC Community at the Circ Bar Rabbit Hole at 5 - 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 29, 2026. Rabbit Hole (210 S 1st St map) is located down the alley, towards the green lights once […]

ESC is co-sponsoring a special online lecture and conversation with Professor Ruha Benjamin on Thursday, June 4, from 10:00–11:00 AM ET as part of Digital IDEAS 2026 at The Digital Studies Institute. Because this event is being hosted as part of the Digital IDEAS Summer Institute, attendance is limited, and registration is required. Please Register […]