Member/presenter Robert Colosino made it clear from the start. He wanted to empower us – with knowledge. To leave us understanding AI better than our friends do.

The next 140 minutes were PACKED with ideas, examples, pithy slides, videos and coding anecdotes from Robert’s career. (Yes, our longest session yet – which flew by.) Judging from audience reaction — rapt attention, lively Q & A until 20 minutes past our 9 p.m. deadline, significant applause, wonderment on the faces of all! — he accomplished his goal.

Robert talked/explained tech, sure ( coding decodes thought). He also shared his passion for art, interweaving his three favourite artworks with references to Einstein, Newton and current young science geniuses he referred to as kids, e.g. Sam Altman of OpenAI.

The wide-ranging presentation explained (for the layperson) coding. And defused our fears of AI. That coding, programs, etc. – like other intellectual property, say art – are easy to steal. Yes. Yet the kids keep coding, creating. And artists should keep creating too. Because artists remind us of our human experience. AI cannot replicate that.

Early in the presentation, Robert shared with us the grainy video of a younger Paul Simon silencing a crowd of 60,000 at the old Yankee Stadium with a rendition of Mrs Robinson on acoustic guitar. The line Here’s to you Joe DiMaggio made the silent crowd erupt in cheers. Art channeling emotion and human connection in a way a data processor cannot.

A brief recap cannot contain the references, mind maps and passion that Robert shared with us. For the folks in the audience, a little miracle converting incomprehensible into Aha! That evening was art.

Photos by Milo Smith.

The next Collectif Coffee House is 21May2025 at 19:00.