Aspen is a place for leaders to lift their sights above the possessions which possess them. To confront their own nature as human beings, to regain control over their own humanity by becoming more self-aware, more self-correcting, and hence more self-fulfilling.

Walter P. Paepcke, Aspen Institute Co-Founder
Philosophers' Happy Hour
  • In Person

Techno Humanism? A Debate with Antón Barba-Kay and Jason Crawford

Note: This is a past event, additional resources may be available below.

Tue Apr 7, 2026
Washington, DC

Date

Tue Apr 7, 2026
7:15pm – 8:15pm EDT

Location

The Crown & Crow
1317 14th St NW, Washington, DC

Contact

    [email protected]

Hosts

  1. Philosophy & Society

Is technology good for humanity?

This conversation brings together Jason Crawford (Roots of Progress Institute) and Antón Barba-Kay (Harvard Kennedy School & Georgetown Law) to explore a central question: Should technology be seen as a path to human progress and flourishing, or does it risk changing our understanding of what it means to be human? While both begin with the belief that human well-being should be at the center of our thinking, they disagree about what that means in practice.

Moderated by Samuel Kimbriel (The Aspen Institute), the discussion will also take on big-picture questions that are becoming harder to ignore:

  • What values should guide our society—efficiency and usefulness, or something deeper about human nature?
  • How should we think about truth, meaning, and ethics in an age of powerful new technologies?

Join us for a lively debate about the future of technology—and the future of humanity.

Doors open at 6:30pm, the discussion with Antón Barba-Kay and Jason Crawford begins at 7:15pm, and as always, the party goes as long as you like.

REGISTER HERE

Questions? Email [email protected].

In partnership with Georgetown University’s Initiative on Artificial Intelligence and Democratic Citizenship (AIDC) and with thanks for the generous support of The Omidyar Network and The Gambrell Foundation.