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HUMAN FUTURES: PRESERVING HUMAN POTENTIAL IN THE AGE OF AI
Nov 14, 2026 · The 418 Project
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HUMAN FUTURES: PRESERVING HUMAN POTENTIAL IN THE AGE OF AI
w/ Sam Stern
Date & Time
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.
Featured Artists & Lineup
1 ArtistSam Stern
Headliner
Senior Content Producer at Esalen Institute, writer, and researcher.
Event Schedule
Times and locations across the venue
7:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Doors Open & Gathering
Oasis Lobby open.
7:30 PM – 8:45 PM
Illustrated Lecture: Sam Stern
Human Futures in the Age of AI in Small Theater.
8:45 PM – 9:30 PM
Interactive Community Dialogue & Q&A
Audience Q&A.
Visiting The 418 Project: What to Expect
House guidelines to ensure a welcoming, inclusive space for everyone
We are committed to a safe, welcoming environment where everyone is treated with cultural and personal respect across all backgrounds and identities. We hold the highest standards for consent—in movement, touch, and conversation. Always check in first, honor boundaries, and ensure that consent is clear, voluntary, and ongoing.
As a community-run non-profit collective with a small staff, we cannot clean everything after every event. Please help us care for the space by picking up after yourself, placing recycling and compost in the bins provided, and treating every room with kindness so it remains welcoming for the next gathering.
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.
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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Upcoming at The 418 Project
Nov 14 · 7:30 PM
HUMAN FUTURES: PRESERVING HUMAN POTENTIAL IN THE AGE OF AI