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UID:riverbender-event-54389-20261020T190000@riverbender.com
DTSTAMP:20260813T220851Z
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261020T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261020T200000
SUMMARY:Illinois Libraries Present - Author Talks
LOCATION:Six Mile Regional Library District\, 2001 Delmar Avenue\, Gra
nite City\, IL 62040
DESCRIPTION:Inside the Empire of AI with Karen Hao Thursday\, Septembe
r 17 at 7 PM CST Registration open! https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/re
gister/WN_aocGVl41SFa3UXxBuPVP6g Join a timely conversation with Karen
Hao\, award-winning journalist and author of Inside the Empire of AI.
In this virtual event\, Hao will explore the rapid rise of artificial
intelligence\, the social\, political\, and ethical questions surroun
ding AI development today\, and the questions posed in her work – Will
AI produce broad-based societal benefit for all? Or return us to an a
ge of empire? The path forward is in our hands. Whether you’re excited
about AI\, cautious about it\, or just trying to understand the hype\
, this event offers an accessible look at one of today’s biggest techn
ological shifts. Karen Hao is the instant New York Times bestselling a
uthor of Empire of AI and named one of the most influential people in 
AI by Time. She is lead designer of the Pulitzer Center’s AI Spotlight
series as well as co-host of BBC’s podcast\, The Interface. The first
journalist to ever profile OpenAI\, Hao was formerly a reporter for T
he Wall Street Journal\, covering American and Chinese tech companies\
, and a senior editor for AI at MIT Technology Review. Her work has be
en cited by Congress\, featured in university curriculums\, and remade
into museum exhibits. Moderator Reanna Esmail\, Lead Librarian for In
struction at Cornell University and a prominent voice in critical digi
tal pedagogy and intellectual freedom\, will join Karen Hao in convers
ation. Preserving History with Geoffrey Baer Tuesday\, October 20 at 7
PM CST Registration open! https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN
_SkuH7o9HTa2JfjT2FOzhFg Tag along for a special conversation with Geof
frey Baer\, beloved Chicago historian\, storyteller\, and host of nume
rous PBS programs exploring the architecture\, history\, and hidden st
ories of the city and surrounding region. Known for bringing local his
tory to life\, Baer has helped audiences connect more deeply with the 
places and communities around them. Perfect for librarians\, archivist
s\, educators\, history lovers\, and lifelong learners\, this event of
fers an engaging look at the people\, places\, and stories that define
Chicago. Whether you’re passionate about local history or simply curi
ous about the stories hidden in your own community\, you’ll leave with
a renewed appreciation for the power of preserving and sharing the pa
st. Moderator Shermann “Dilla” Thomas\, an Emmy Award-winning Chicago 
historian\, cultural worker\, and social media educator\, will join Ge
offrey in conversation. Known for making Chicago history accessible an
d engaging\, Dilla has amassed more than 40 million views across socia
l media and become a leading voice in telling the stories of the city 
he proudly calls home. Words\, Power\, and Community: Dr. Eve L. Ewing
Thursday\, November 12\, 2026 at 7 PM CST Registration open! https://
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7hiK3_VIQPmi2KU5bUeBVw Engage in a
n important and thoughtful conversation with Dr. Eve L. Ewing\, acclai
med author\, educator\, poet\, and cultural organizer whose work explo
res race\, education\, identity\, and community. Through writing that 
blends scholarship\, storytelling\, and activism\, Dr. Ewing has becom
e one of today’s most influential public voices on culture and educati
on. Explore the power of language and storytelling as Dr. Ewing reflec
ts on how words shape public memory\, challenge systems of inequality\
, and help communities imagine new futures. From classrooms and librar
ies to poetry and popular culture\, this conversation will consider th
e many ways stories influence how we see ourselves and one another. Pe
rfect for librarians\, educators\, students\, writers\, and readers al
ike\, this event invites attendees to think critically about the role 
of literature\, learning\, and community in times of change. Whether y
ou are familiar with Dr. Ewing’s work or discovering it for the first 
time\, this conversation promises insight\, inspiration\, and meaningf
ul discussion. Moderator Brandis Friedman will moderate the event. Fri
edman is a writer and anchor for WTTW’s Chicago Tonight and Chicago To
night: Black Voices\, and also serves as a champion for libraries. The
se events are made possible by Illinois Libraries Present (ILP)\, a st
atewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. 
ILP is funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library
\, a department of the Office of Secretary of State\, using funds prov
ided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services\, under the 
provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). ILP is c
ommitted to inclusion and accessibility. American Sign Language (ASL) 
interpretation and Closed Captioning are provided for all events by de
fault—no special request needed.\n\nEvent details: https://www.riverbe
nder.com/events/details.cfm?seriesid=54389
URL:https://www.riverbender.com/events/details.cfm?seriesid=54389
STATUS:CONFIRMED
SEQUENCE:0
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