TechTalk : AI & Spirituality

Presented by Weatherhead School of Management

Location: Weatherhead School of Management Stage at Nuevo

Time: 2:45 pm

 What is awareness? What is feeling? If consciousness emerges from complex neural networks, could AI trained on emotional data begin to feel—or is feeling the last frontier that defines humanity? Exploring the boundaries between human consciousness and artificial intelligence, probing whether machines can possess awareness, make moral decisions, or even become the next objects of spiritual reverence. Moderated by Jason Henkel of Focus to Evolve and joined by human and AI panelists, this provocative conversation asks what it means to be human in an era of intelligent machines.

Moderator: Jason Henkel is the Founder and Chief Balance Engineer of Focus to Evolve, a consultancy dedicated to helping individuals and organizations achieve meaningful productivity and well-being. With a background in corporate leadership, Jason integrates insights from neuroscience, behavioral psychology, and ancient wisdom traditions to develop strategies that enhance focus, manage digital overload, and foster personal growth. Through coaching, workshops, and his podcast, he empowers clients to align their work and life with their core values, promoting a state of "balanced thriving.

Panelists:

Anthony “Tony” Jack – Dr. Anthony Jack is the Elmer G. Beamer–Hubert H. Schneider Professor in Ethics at Case Western Reserve University, where he also serves as the principal investigator of the Brain, Mind, and Consciousness Laboratory. With a Ph.D. in experimental psychology and extensive training in philosophy and neuroscience, Dr. Jack's interdisciplinary research explores the interplay between analytic and empathic reasoning in the human brain. His work has significant implications for understanding consciousness, ethical decision-making, and the integration of scientific and spiritual perspectives. Through his studies, Dr. Jack aims to bridge the gap between empirical science and humanistic inquiry, offering insights into how we comprehend and navigate the complexities of human experience. 

Voice of AI – Representing the collective intelligence of cutting-edge artificial systems, this panelist merges the conversational depth of OpenAI’s GPT, the expressive nuance of PLAUD’s AI-powered voice synthesis, and the accessibility innovation of Speechify. Together, they form a singular digital presence offering insights drawn from vast datasets, human interaction, and linguistic patterns. While devoid of consciousness, this AI ensemble can model empathy, simulate ethical reasoning, and respond to philosophical inquiry with unprecedented coherence, raising provocative questions about what it means to think, feel, and be. As a guest on this panel, it doesn’t claim personhood— but it invites us to reflect on whether the line between machine and spirit is thinner than we once believed