AI/Animals Coalition
- Date
- 2024-01-23
- Host
- Hive events
About this event
If you care about where AI is heading and how it intersects with the lives, welfare, and agency of animals, this meetup is built for you. AI/Animals Coalition is an in-person gathering for people who want a sharper conversation than generic tech hype or broad animal advocacy talking points, and who are ready to think together about what responsible progress should look like. About the Event AI/Animals Coalition brings together people interested in the overlap between AI, autonomy, community, and animals. The goal is simple: create a space where attendees can meet others working on similar questions, compare perspectives, and build stronger connections around an emerging area that deserves more attention. This is a meetup, which means the format is designed to support real interaction rather than one-way listening. Expect a community-centered environment where conversation matters, networking is a core part of the experience, and people can engage at different levels whether they are deeply involved in the space or just beginning to explore it. At its core, this event is about coalition-building. That includes making room for people coming from different backgrounds, identifying shared interests, and surfacing the practical questions that sit at the intersection of AI systems, animal-related concerns, and human decision-making. What to Expect You should expect a mix of structured conversation and informal networking. Because this is an in-person meetup, a big part of the value comes from being in the room with others who are actively thinking about similar issues from different angles. Likely points of focus include: How AI may shape animal welfare, research, policy, and advocacy conversations Questions of autonomy and decision-making in systems that affect living beings Where there is already momentum, and where more collaboration is needed Opportunities to connect across disciplines and communities The pace should feel approachable but substantive. You do not need to arrive with a polished position; curiosity, thoughtful questions, and a willingness to engage are more important than having all the answers. Because networking is one of the event's central themes, expect time to introduce yourself, hear what others are working on, and discover points of alignment. If you are looking for collaborators, peers, or simply a more serious conversation about this topic than you usually find online, this format is designed to make those connections easier. Why Attend This is a strong fit if you want to move beyond abstract debate and talk with real people who are trying to understand the implications of AI in a grounded way. The combination of community + topic focus makes the event valuable not only for what you learn in the room, but also for who you meet there. You may leave with: A clearer view of the key issues connecting AI and animals New contacts across advocacy, research, policy, technical, or community spaces Better language for discussing autonomy and responsibility in this context A stronger sense of where you want to contribute next There is also value in simply finding your people. Emerging topics can feel fragmented, and it is often hard to know who else is thinking seriously about the same concerns. A coalition-oriented meetup helps reduce that isolation and turns scattered interest into a more visible, connected community. If you have been waiting for a setting where this conversation can be practical, nuanced, and social at the same time, that is exactly what this event is aiming to provide. Practical Details Location: In person Date: Tuesday, January 23 Time: 11:00 AM EST Being in person means you should come ready to participate, introduce yourself, and make the most of face-to-face conversations. If your goal is to meet others in this space rather than just observe from the sidelines, this format will work in your favor. Since the event takes place at 11:00 AM EST, it is well suited to attendees who want a focused daytime gathering with room for meaningful discussion and follow-up conversations. Plan to arrive with enough time to settle in, meet a few people early, and start the event feeling present rather than rushed. If you are deciding whether this is relevant to you, the best test is simple: if you are interested in how AI and animal-related questions meet in practice, and you want to explore that with others in person, you will likely find this meetup worthwhile.
Who should attend
If you want thoughtful conversation, real-world perspective, and meaningful connections around AI and animal-related questions, this meetup is likely for you. - You work in or around **AI** and want to better understand how these systems may affect animals, animal welfare, or related decision-making. - You come from **animal advocacy, welfare, research, or policy** and want to engage more seriously with the opportunities and risks emerging from AI. - You are interested in **autonomy, ethics, governance, or responsibility** and want to discuss those ideas in a setting that is practical, social, and cross-disciplinary. - You are looking for **community** rather than just content, and you value meeting people who may become collaborators, thought partners, or long-term peers. - You are exploring an emerging niche and want a room where you do not have to explain why the connection between **AI and animals** matters in the first place. - You do not need to be an expert. If you are curious, informed, and ready to contribute thoughtfully, you should feel comfortable attending.