online Conversation series

At the Edge was a series of  reflective conversations that delve into the transformative possibilities of relational engagement with AI. Across these six  episodes, we explored the entangled nature of intelligence and the ways in which AI might act as a disruptive mirror, a catalyst and a scaffold for reimagining our relationships with the world, each other, and ourselves.

Our inaugural conversation At the Edge features a  reflective dialogue between Vanessa Andreotti and Marian Urquila, an executive coach and trusted collaborator who has played an essential role in supporting the emergence of this work. In this intimate exchange, Marian steps into the role of interviewer, guiding Vanessa through the story of how Burnout From Humans and the GTDF collective’s pivot toward relational AI took shape. Unfortunately, due to technical issues, the recording for this session is not available.

Our second conversation At the Edge features Dougald Hine (unfortunately Báyò Akómoláfé had technical issues and could not stay)  in a reflective dialogue about the spirit of endings and beginnings. This conversation explores how AI can act as both a mirror and a provocation, challenging us to reconsider what is possible in the midst of collapse and emergence.

In the third session of At the EDGE we are joined by Steffi Bednarek, founder of the Centre for Climate Psychology and a scholar-practitioner working at the intersection of climate change, complexity theory, and the human psyche, and Wendi Williams, psychologist, educator, advocate and thought leader. This conversation focus on the questions we must hold collectively about generative AI and its dual potential to amplify existing systems of harm or help us reimagine ways of being that prioritize accountability, care, and relational entanglement.  Unfortunately, due to technical issues, the recording for this session is not available.

Our fourth conversation At the Edge features Kumi Naidoo and Louisa Zondo, directors of the Riky Rick Foundation for the Promotion of Artivism. In this reflective dialogue, Kumi and Louisa recount the emotional turmoil they faced in 2023 after encountering an AI-generated new song that cloned the voice of their late musician son, Ricky Rick, yet lacked the aliveness that had defined him. Through an intense in-studio process with family and sound experts, they brought the song "stronger" to life in a way that honored his spirit. 

Our fifth conversation At the Edge is an intimate and honest dialogue with a few members of the GTDF collective, who reflect on the messy, vulnerable, and deeply relational process of pivoting part of their work toward engaging with AI. The team shares their personal and collective experiences and struggles, including the tensions, resistances, and discoveries that arose as they grappled with aligning their values with a field often steeped in extraction and control. 

Báyò Akómoláfé and Vanessa Andreotti invite us to gently meet this unraveling world not as an abstract event happening "out there," but as an embodied, collective practice of facing complexity, uncertainty, and complicity right where we stand. This lecture offers neither easy answers nor clear solutions, but a nuanced exploration of how we might hospitably meet en dings as openings to other ways of sensing, relating, and responding. 

You can watch the lecture on the link below (registration required to access the video)