As AI systems influence more of our decisions, we risk seeing ourselves through a narrow, technological lens. But human power, our ability to create, feel, resist, and make sense of the world, can’t be reduced to algorithms. In this talk, Gry Hasselbalch explores the fundamentals of human power.

Key themes include:

How AI is reshaping our human identity, confidence and sense of direction.

The historical roots of human power in art, activism, and philosophy

Why we must actively reinforce human power in technology design and policy

This talk invites policymakers, journalists, designers, and industry leaders to rethink the role of human power in an AI-driven world.

Generative AI can produce striking images, compelling stories, and even music that mimics human expression. But is this creativity?

In this talk, Gry Hasselbalch explores the nature of human creativity, which is a force that has driven human art, science, philosophy, life and culture for centuries. Drawing from art, history, literature, and theory, this session examines:

How human creativity differs fundamentally from generative AI

The role of creativity in scientific discovery, cultural evolution, and economic growth

How AI challenges our perception of our own creative power – and where those assumptions fall short

This talk invites artists, scholars, policymakers, and technologists to rethink the meaning of creativity in an era where machines can imitate, but not originate.

Human emotions shape everything from personal relationships to political movements. They are not just instincts; they are deeply rooted in our history, culture, and social life. But as AI systems increasingly mediate human interactions, what happens to the role of feeling in our lives and societies?

This talk explores feeling and emotion as a fundamental trait of human power, tracing its significance from ancient Greek theater to modern psychology and literature. Topics include:

The biological, social, and political dimensions of human feeling and emotion

Why machines can simulate but not experience emotion

The impact of automation on human connection, empathy, and decision-making

As AI influences more aspects of public and private life, we must ask: What is the future of human feeling and emotion in an age of increasing automation?

From ancient myths to Dr. Frankenstein’s monster to today’s AI-powered robots, humans have long imagined bringing the inanimate to life. But is life something that can be created, or is it an irreplaceable force unique to living beings?

In this talk, Gry Hasselbalch explores how different arts, cultures and philosophies have understood human life, its value, its conditions, and its meaning. Topics include:

The historical fascination with artificial life, from mythology to AI

How different worldviews—vitalism, hedonism, humanism—shape our understanding of life

The difference between biological existence and computational activation

As machines increasingly imitate human capabilities, this talk challenges us to rethink what makes life distinct and why it matters in the AI age.

With the increasing automation of human decision-making tasks, a debate about human intuition has intensified. What is the value of human intuition? Can human intuition be replaced by an algorithm? Should it?

This talk examines intuition as a form of human power, distinct from but not opposed to rational and scientific reasoning. Key questions include:

How has intuition been understood in philosophy, science, psychology, and art?

What is the difference between an intuitive human decision and an AI-driven choice?

How does automation challenge the role of human judgment?

Rather than dismissing intuition as an outdated instinct, this talk repositions it as an essential component of human decision-making, one that technology cannot fully replicate

Love is more than emotion. It shapes our relationships, our social structures, and even our political values. But in a world where AI simulates human connection, what happens to love as a uniquely human experience and “social contract”?

This talk explores love as a social and cultural force, touching on:

How love has been depicted in literature, philosophy, and art

The role of love in shaping communities, ideologies, and social contracts

Why machines can simulate loving but cannot experience or share love

As AI reshapes human interactions, this talk challenges us to consider love as a political force—and why it cannot be outsourced to technology.

Whether through art, literature, activism, or silent refusal, defiance has shaped societies and challenged oppressive systems. But what happens when decision-making, surveillance, and social structures are increasingly automated?

In this talk, Gry Hasselbalch explores:

How defiance has been portrayed in literature, film, and political movements

The role of human resistance in shaping progress and justice

How AI-driven systems influence, suppress, or even co-opt forms of dissent

If defiance is fundamentally human, what happens when power is increasingly held by systems that do not think, feel, or resist?

AI can process vast amounts of data, recognize patterns, and make predictions faster than any human. But does that make it wise? Wisdom has never been just about intelligence. It is about judgment, experience, and an understanding of the human condition.

This talk examines:

How different cultures and philosophies have defined wisdom

The distinction between intelligence, knowledge, and true wisdom

The risks of delegating moral and ethical decision-making to AI

Wisdom is not about efficiency; it is about navigating complexity, uncertainty, and the unknown. As technology advances, how do we ensure that wisdom remains a guiding force in our societies?

At the beginning of the 21st Century, policies have evolved specifically dedicated to the efficiency and optimisation of society through digital technology. Increasingly also the ethical and societal impact have been considered and sought mitigated. But what comes next? A politics that prioritizes humanity itself—our creativity, emotions, and capacity for meaning.

This talk outlines the three phases of 21st-century technology politics:

1. The Technology-First Era – Focused on interoperability, efficiency, and expansion
2. The Ethics and Society Phase – Emphasizing rights, democracy, and ethics
3. The Emerging Technology Politics for Humanity – Centering on the special qualities of humanity and human power

As AI-driven technologies shape the world, we must ensure they support human power rather than replace it. This requires new political frameworks, ethical standards, and global cooperation.