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HUMAN FUTURES: PRESERVING HUMAN POTENTIAL IN THE AGE OF AI

Name: HUMAN FUTURES: PRESERVING HUMAN POTENTIAL IN THE AGE OF AI
Location: The 418 Project (Small Theater)

w/ Sam Stern

Session Date & Time This Saturday

Nov 14 2026 (Saturday)

7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Location

The 418 Project

In the: Small Theater

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About This Event

    Esalen Institute Presents: HUMAN FUTURES: PRESERVING HUMAN POTENTIAL IN THE AGE OF AI — an illustrated lecture by Esalen’s Sam Stern.


About the Lecture

    Artificial intelligence can be extraordinarily useful, creative, and powerful. As it becomes more deeply embedded in our lives, however, it raises urgent questions about what we may be outsourcing, weakening, or losing along the way.


    Drawing from his work at the Esalen Institute and the history of the Human Potential Movement, Sam Stern explores the enduring importance of embodiment, authentic relationship, community, somatics, agency, and direct experience — qualities that become more vital, not less, as intelligent machines evolve.

Visiting The 418 Project: What to Expect

House guidelines to ensure a welcoming, inclusive space for everyone

Our sprung wood and theater dance floors are shoe-free zones to preserve the floor and keep movement safe. Please remove outdoor footwear and place them in the cubbies in our lobby upon arrival. Barefoot, dance socks, or indoor-only soft dance shoes are welcome!

We have a filtered water bottle refill station on-site, so feel free to bring a refillable bottle. All restrooms are all-gender, ADA-accessible, and located conveniently on the ground floor.

To ensure everyone can breathe and move comfortably—especially community members with chemical sensitivities and asthma—The 418 Project is a low-fragrance space. Please refrain from applying perfumes, scented colognes, or strongly scented lotions before attending.

As an artist-driven non-profit collective, we believe movement and art should be accessible to all regardless of financial circumstances. Many events feature sliding scale tickets, and we offer work-trade opportunities for community members who wish to volunteer in exchange for admission.

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Plan Your Visit

Venue & Accessibility

The 418 Project is located in downtown Santa Cruz. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming space for all dancers, artists, and community members.

Address: 155 S. River St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Accessibility: Ground floor entrances & all-gender accessible restrooms

Parking: On-street parking & nearby River Street public garage

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