The UCSF Library Data Science and Open Scholarship Team is hosting an in-person AI Summer Discussion Club where members of the UCSF community will have in-depth conversations around AI. These discussions are an opportunity to reflect on individual relationships with AI, explore developments in artificial intelligence technology, and gain richer insights into AI topics.
We are offering monthly gatherings June through August 2026 at the FAMRI Library located at Mission Bay. At each session we will discuss two or three pre-selected articles, videos, or news pieces covering different AI topics. The reading or watching preparation for each session will be approximately 15 to 30 minutes, but we encourage you to come whether or not you have had time to read the articles. Discussion questions will be shared with registrants prior to each session. Tea and light snacks will be provided.
Schedule
| Session topic | Date and time | Registration |
|---|---|---|
| Should AI mimic humans (or should machines stay machines)? | Wednesday, June 10, 3 – 4 p.m. | Register for June 10 session |
| Keeping the human in the loop | Wednesday, July 8, 3 – 4 p.m. | Register for July 8 session |
| Are we heading for AI dystopia? | Wednesday, August 12, 3 p.m. 3 – 4 p.m. | Register for August 12 session |
First session resources
For the inaugural session, Should AI Mimic Humans (or should machines stay machines)? on June 10, 2026, the discussion will center on the following resources:
- Article: Jobs of the Future: Teaching Empathy to Artificial Intelligence. Microsoft News Centre Europe. (2019, June 13)
- Article: Meyer, M. We seriously Need to Stop Anthropomorphizing AI. Here’s Why It’s Harmful. CNET. (2025, December 26)
- YouTube Video (two minutes): Yann LeCun: AI’s Future: Will it have emotions?. (2025, May 8)
- Optional: Full length video (one hour)
Accessibility
Accessibility contact information is available on session registration pages.