Thursday, March 27th
Almost immediately following the 2022 introduction of ChatGPT, torrents of articles and news reports unleashed a gamut of responses to a new thing called “generative AI.” The barrage of narratives was contradictory, often sensationalistic, and far from elucidating. In this session, four leading proponents for the careful analysis of radical new technologies will share their expertise and perspectives on this incredibly important and urgent topic. Author and podcaster of “Tech Won’t Save Us,” Paris Marx will discuss how Silicon Valley’s AI obsession is accelerating the push to build hyperscale data centers around the world, which have an insatiable appetite for immoral volumes of energy, water, and resources, and why recent developments from China’s DeepSeek won’t change that. Argentinian anthropologist Soledad Vogliano will explore why having nontransparent “black box” AI determining the management of our food systems and biodiversity is a bad idea. Author, journalist and lawyer Claire Cummings will talk about why AI, like biotechnology, will never be meaningfully regulated and why that matters. And author and co-founder of the Tech Critics Network, Koohan Paik-Mander (who will also host/moderate) will speak about how the plan to deploy AI in government and industry will require an immense national, democracy-killing surveillance/extraction infrastructure.
March 27th | 3:00 pm to 4:15 pm | Freight & Salvage
Panelists
Claire Hope Cummings
Lawyer, Journalist and Author
Claire Hope Cummings is a lawyer, journalist, and author of Uncertain Peril, an award-winning critique of biotechnology and a vision for the future of food and farming. Her work has been widely featured in print, films, public radio and television, and, as a lawyer, she has represented a number of traditional Indigenous groups in defense of their sacred places. Her current work focuses on the complex relationships among natural and cultural systems and spirituality.
Paris Marx
Host | Tech Won't Save Us podcast
Paris Marx, a tech critic and host of the “Tech Won’t Save Us” podcast, also writes the Disconnect newsletter and is the author of Road to Nowhere: What Silicon Valley Gets Wrong about the Future of Transportation. His work has been translated into more than a dozen languages, and he speaks internationally about the politics of technology.
Koohan Paik-Mander
Co-Founder | Tech Critics Network
Koohan Paik-Mander, a journalist, author and peace and environmental activist, is a co-founder of the Tech Critics Network and serves on the board of the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space. Her articles appear in The Nation, The Progressive, Foreign Policy in Focus, and other publications. Her article “Whales Will Save the World’s Climate — Unless the Military Destroys Them First” was named by Project Censored as one of the top 25 censored stories of 2021-2022. She is also co-author of The Superferry Chronicles: Hawaii’s Uprising Against Militarism, Commercialism and the Desecration of the Earth.
Soledad Vogliano
Program Manager | ETC Group
Soledad Vogliano is an Argentina-based Program Manager at the ETC Group, a small international research and action collective committed to social and environmental justice, human rights and the defense of the web of life. For the last 4 years, she has been developing ETC’s program on Digitalization, coordinating capacity building and strategic outreach locally and internationally. Before ETC, Soledad worked for years with Ecuadorian Indigenous and peasant movements on the defense of territories, biodiversity and rights. Also passionate about agroecological education, she has developed several initiatives for local food production and community-led communications.
Friday, March 28th
Recent advances in technology have made it possible to understand some of the communication of a few animal species. Leading interdisciplinary initiatives such as Project CETI (the Cetacean Translation Initiative) are developing cutting-edge advancements in machine learning, robotics, natural language processing, linguistics, cryptography, complexity science, and marine biology to record and begin to understand the fundamental elements of some nonhuman animal communication, beginning with that of sperm whales. While these technologies hold significant promise for enhancing the well-being and rights of nonhuman animals, they also present serious risks of further manipulation and exploitation of animals. This conversation will delve into the innovative collaboration between the NYU More-Than-Human Life (MOTH) Program and Project CETI to establish ethical and legal guardrails that can permit us to harness the potential of these technologies while minimizing their risks. With David Gruber and César Rodríguez-Garavito. Moderated by Teo Grossman, President of Bioneers.
March 28th | 3:00 pm to 4:15 pm | Freight & Salvage
Panelists
César Rodríguez-Garavito
More Than Human Life (MOTH) Program | Founding Director
César Rodríguez-Garavito, a Professor of Clinical Law, Chair of the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice, and founding Director of the More Than Human Life (MOTH) Program and the Earth Rights Advocacy Program (all based at NYU School of Law), is a human rights and environmental justice scholar and practitioner whose work and publications focus on climate change, Indigenous peoples’ rights, and the human rights movement. Editor-in-Chief of Open Global Rights, César has been an expert witness of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, an Adjunct Judge of the Constitutional Court of Colombia, a member of the Science Panel for the Amazon, and a lead litigator in climate change, socio-economic and Indigenous rights cases. He has conducted field research and environmental and human rights investigations around the world.
David Gruber
Founder and President | Project CETI (Cetacean Translation Initiative)
David Gruber is the founder and President of Project CETI (Cetacean Translation Initiative), a nonprofit organization and interdisciplinary scientific and conservation initiative that is applying advanced machine learning and state-of-the-art gentle robotics to translate the communication of sperm whales. David is also Distinguished Professor of Biology at the City University of New York and a National Geographic Explorer.
Teo Grossman
President | Bioneers
Teo Grossman, President of Bioneers, previously worked on a range of projects from federal range management to state-level assessments of long-range planning to applied research on topics including climate change adaptation, ecosystem services, biodiversity, and ecological networks. A Doris Duke Conservation Fellow during graduate school, Teo holds an MS in Environmental Science & Management from UC-Santa Barbara.
4:45 pm: Achieving Digital Inclusion for Social Equity and a Clean, Green Future
Hosted by Women in Cleantech and Sustainability (WCS)
Digital equity is vital to achieving sustainability by ensuring all individuals have access to the digital tools, resources, and skills needed to thrive in a connected world. Bridging the digital divide empowers marginalized communities, enabling participation in education, economic opportunities, and environmental initiatives. Access to technology supports smart solutions such as climate data analysis, sustainable energy systems, and eco-friendly urban planning. Promoting digital inclusion enhances social equity, reduces resource inequality, and accelerates innovation toward sustainable development goals. Digital equity ensures no one is left behind as we advance sustainable solutions for a more resilient, equitable planet. Come hear from leading experts who will share their strategies to make the dream of full digital inclusion a reality. Hosted by: Sara Eve Fuentes, founder/President, SmartWaste, board chair, WCS. With Claudia Garcia, Director of Programs at Tech Exchange; Rhianna C. Rogers, formerly the Biden-Harris Administration’s Counselor to the Assistant Secretary for Management and Chief DEIA Officer at the U.S. Department of the Treasury; Jessica Groopman, founder of The Regenerative Technology Project.
March 28th | 4:45 pm to 6:00 pm | Golden Bear Room, Hotel Shattuck Plaza
Panelists
Sara Eve Fuentes
Chairwoman | Women in Cleantech and Sustainability
Sara Eve Fuentes, Chairwoman of Women in Cleantech and Sustainability, is the founder and President of SmartWaste, a minority women-owned and operated start-up with a focus on Waste Technologies, Waste Systems and Vendor Management for Zero Waste programs with core values of “transparency, circularity, and people." With 10 years of experience in the waste and recycling industry, Sara has become a dynamic leader in abating commercial waste as well as a passionate advocate for women.
Claudia Garcia
Director of Programs | Tech Exchange
Claudia Garcia, a dedicated advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in education and workforce development, is the Director of Programs at Tech Exchange, where she leads strategic initiatives to promote digital equity, career readiness, and STEM access for underrepresented communities across California. With over a decade of experience in student advising, program management, and partnership development, Claudia has designed and implemented impactful initiatives that have helped first-generation college students and marginalized communities succeed in higher education and beyond.
Rhianna Rogers
Co-Founder | Sustainable Progress and Equality Collective (SPEC)
Rhianna C. Rogers, Ph.D., is a global leader in digital equity, public policy, and interdisciplinary research with 20+ years’ experience in the federal, academic, and non-profit sectors. Formerly the Biden-Harris Administration's Counselor to the Assistant Secretary for Management and Chief DEIA Officer at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, she led initiatives in diversity, AI policy, and digital equity. Also a co-founder of the Sustainable Progress and Equality Collective (SPEC), former Director of RAND's Center to Advance Racial Equity Policy, and an Ernest Boyer Presidential Fellow at the Rockefeller Institute of Government, she has spearheaded multimillion-dollar research and community-engagement projects on equity in technology, health, infrastructure, and education.
Jessica Groopman
Founder | The Regenerative Technology Project
Jessica Groopman, founder of The Regenerative Technology Project, a platform that seeks to encourage and accelerate the tech industry’s shift towards supporting societal and ecological health, is a technology industry analyst and author who studies the intersection of emerging technologies and regeneration, and advises forward-thinking leaders globally on disruptive innovations. She has published over 50 reports on emerging tech applications and their implications and recently co-authored The Fast Future Blur. Her previous roles include: founding the research firm, Kaleido Insights; Principal Analyst at Tractica, Harbor Research, and Altimeter Group; and Senior Innovation Advisor at Intentional Futures.
One of the most disconcerting trends in modern political discourse is the increasing feeling that there is no “shared reality” between opposing sides on many issues. In a world facing so many wicked problems simultaneously, the growing inability to collectively discern fact from fiction may represent the single greatest challenge we face. In many ways, our collective critical thinking skills have become more essential than ever to the success of every single movement, from climate action to social justice to human and environmental health. Now consider the monumental task teachers face, educating the next generation who are coming of age in this hall of mirrors moment. Join leading experts to discuss solutions and approaches to educating students and the general public regarding the current state of misinformation and “truthiness” in the rapidly shifting and expanding media environments we all inhabit. Hosted by longtime journalist and media critic Andrew Revkin in conversation with one of the world’s leading authorities on digital and media literacy education, founder of the Media Education Lab: Renee Hobbs.
March 28th | 4:45 pm to 6:00 pm | Goldman Theater, Brower Center
Panelists
Renee Hobbs
Researcher and Advocate for Media Literacy Education
Renee Hobbs, a researcher and advocate for media literacy education, is one of the nation's leading authorities on media literacy education and has authored 12 books and more than 300 scholarly and professional articles to advance the theory and practice of digital and media literacy education. She has helped train a generation of scholars and teachers on four continents through her scholarship and community service, receiving more than $7 million in grants to support research, education and community outreach efforts.
Andrew Revkin
Environmental Journalist and Webcast Host | Sustain What
Andrew Revkin, a prize-winning environmental journalist and webcast host who has spent 40 years scouring the world to identify and convey sustainable human pathways, began reporting on global warming in 1988 and never stopped, filing dispatches from the North Pole, Amazon rainforest, White House, etc., including 20 years at The New York Times (14 as a reporter and 6 as an online commentator through his groundbreaking Dot Earth blog). Andy also served on the Anthropocene Working Group and helped build programs, curricula and initiatives at the National Academy of Sciences, Columbia and Pace universities, and the National Geographic Society, where he has been a member of the Committee on Research and Exploration since 2018. Since 2020 he has run a live video webcast, Sustain What, that has reached several million viewers and included more than a thousand guests through some 550 episodes. Revkin is also a longtime performing songwriter and has written five books.
Saturday, March 29th
3:00 pm: Indigenous Forum – The Power of Our Stories: Raising Consciousness Through Indigenous Media
Opening of the Indigenous Forum: Gregg Castro (T’rowt’raahl Salinan / Rumsien & Ramaytush Ohlone, Culture Director – Association of Ramaytush Ohlone (ARO)
“Talking Story” is fundamental to the Native experience. This panel features two Indigenous women at the helm of films about personal journeys that explore who we are, where we come from, and healing from intergenerational trauma. In addition to the stories behind the films, panelists will discuss how they came to become documentary artists, creative decisions they made to bring stories to life, and practical tips for others, particularly youth, about ways they can share their stories through multimedia. Moderated by Paloma Flores (Pit River/Purépecha) and featuring Jade Begay (Diné), Impact Producer of Sugarcane; and award-winning multimedia artist and filmmaker Siku Allooloo (Inuk/Taíno).
March 29th | 3:00 pm to 4:15 pm | Berkeley Ballroom, Residence Inn
Panelists
Gregg Castro
Culture Director | Association of Ramaytush Ohlone
Gregg Castro [t'rowt'raahl Salinan/rumsien-ramaytush Ohlone] has worked preserving his indigenous heritage for three decades as a writer-activist. He is Culture Director for the Association of Ramaytush Ohlone; the Society for California Archaeology’s ‘Native American Programs Committee’ Chair; and Adviser to the California Indian Conference, California Indian History Curriculum Coalition and American Indian Cultural District of San Francisco.
Jade Begay
Impact Producer | Sugarcane
Jade Begay (Tesuque Pueblo and Dine), who has worked with Indigenous-led organizations and tribes from the Amazon to the Arctic to advance Indigenous-led solutions and self-determination through advocacy campaigns, research, storytelling and narrative strategies, works at the intersections of Indigenous rights and climate and environmental justice to help shape national and international policy. Jade, who was appointed by President Biden to serve on the first ever White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council and was National Engagement Native American Director for the Harris Walz Campaign, is an Impact Producer for the Oscar-nominated film Sugarcane.
Siku Allooloo
Artist, Writer, and Filmmaker
Siku Allooloo (Inuk/Haitian/Taíno), an award-winning interdisciplinary artist, writer, and filmmaker from Yellowknife, NT, Canada (by way of Mittimatalik, Nunavut and Haiti), has had her film and artwork widely featured, including at the Whitney Museum of American Art, The National Arts Centre, the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal, and DOXA. Her independent journalism, poetry, and creative writing have also been widely published, including in The Guardian, Canadian Art Magazine, and Truthout. A 2025 Artist in Residence at Western Front, Siku is currently leading the production of her first documentary feature, Indigena, as the writer, director and co-producer.
Paloma Flores
Founder and CEO | Paloma Flores Consulting Agency (PFCA)
Paloma Flores, a member of the Pit River Tribe of Northern California and P'urhepecha de Michoacan, Mexico, who has 15 years’ experience working with intertribal communities in California, is the founder and CEO of Paloma Flores Consulting Agency (PFCA), which specializes in transformative speaking and storytelling, cross-cultural collaboration and partnership building, cultural education, supporting the shifting of consciousness through professional development in Indian communities, developing the next generation of youth leaders, and boosting American Indian voices and representation in the arts .
