​Humanizing Machines: Intersecting AI, Robotics, and Design by Artist and the Machine

​Join us at Neuehouse Venice Beach alongside founders, creators, brands, and investors as we gather to inspire and connect as a community dedicated to the evolving relationship between humans and machines.

​An expert panel will delve into the intersection of robotics and humanity, exploring the latest success and failures in AI consumer hardware, the impending robot renaissance, cyborgs, and more. Topics include:

• ​The Intersection of Robots and Humans: How the convergence of technology and biology is reshaping the future.

• ​Trends in Consumer AI: Exploring recent successes and epic failures in AI-driven consumer hardware, from Humane, to Rabbit, friend, and Ray-Ban Metas; as well as consumer AI applications, with an emphasis on voice-enabled and real-time interaction.

• ​Design and Hardware: The role of design in creating intuitive, human-centric AI and robotic hardware.

• ​Fulfilling Human Needs: How technology can better serve us by understanding and addressing our deepest human needs.

​📆 Sept 24th

​⏰ 6:00pm: Arrivals & Happy Hour

​6:30pm: Human-Centric Robotics panel, Q&A

​7:30pm: Mingling of the minds

​Hosts & Panellists:

​Hi, I'm Dani Van de Sande and I was inspired to create Artist and the Machine from the belief that technology is about more than just utility - it has the power to unlock humanity’s fullest potential. I consider myself an artist without a medium, on a quest to uncover the power of AI and new toolsets (ie “the “machine”) to unlock my own, and everyone else’s, creative expression. On the career front - I’ve been tinkering around with AI, spatial computing, experiential, blockchain, and growth marketing since 2013, and have had the privilege of helping global brands such as Snap Inc, Mars Inc, NARS/Shiseido, Chrome Hearts, Drake, Outside Media, Art Miami and many more navigate the future and reach next gen consumers.

​-

​Ashutosh Shukla, who is joining me in co-hosting this event, has spent over 20 years designing category-defining hardware and leading world class engineering organizations at Apple, Snap, Meta, Rivian, and Bose. He is an inventor with over 50 patents spanning material science, manufacturing methodology, and innovations in consumer electronics, and is a Georgia Tech Alumni with BS in Mechanical Engineering. Ash is currently Co-Founder and CTO of UpHealth (stealth) and advisor to deep tech startups. He has worked on globally renowned products including Rivian EV's, 5 generations of iPhone, Spectacles by Snap, SoundDock by Bose.

​-

​Viktoria Modesta is a creative director, bionic pop artist, and body architect whose work explores the frontiers of identity and transformation. She has collaborated with global brands and leading tech and fashion designers, including MIT Media Lab, NASA, Rolls Royce, Ray-Ban, and Louboutin. Describing herself as "Sci-Fi in real life," Viktoria’s mission is to explore the limits of human experience and embodiment through aesthetic activism.

​Born in Latvia, Viktoria underwent extensive medical procedures and an elective amputation, which led her to redefine her body as her primary artistic canvas. She gained international recognition after her performance at the 2012 London Paralympic Closing Ceremony and her viral music video Prototype, introducing her as the world’s first Bionic Pop Artist. Known for her hyper-stylized performances, Viktoria has appeared at major global events, including Miami Art Basel, Super Bowl 2022, and international Fashion Weeks. As a former MIT Media Lab Director’s Fellow and an ambassador for Mission Astro Access, Viktoria has performed bionic experiments in microgravity. Her latest project, Metabodies, explores the convergence of Earth, space, and the metaverse, crafting a bold vision for the future of human experience.

​—

​Conor Lenahan is a hardware product designer who has worked on everything from equipment for 500-ft tower cranes to brain implants the size of a quarter. Starting his career as an iPad product designer, he later transitioned to developing sensing equipment for large-scale construction sites to enhance their energy efficiency. Currently, he leads the mechanical engineering team at Neuralink, building next-generation brain implants. In his spare time, Conor enjoys creating music and art, and he firmly believes that a world with more creators is a better world.

​--

​Alexander Reben is an artist who has spent the last decade creating work that probes the inherently human nature of the artificial. With his start at MIT Media Lab, Reben has long studied human-robot symbiosis and art, using experimentation and prototyping to delve into our intricate relationships with algorithms, automation, and amplification. Through the lenses of absurdity, humor, and mischief, his artwork highlights our inseparable evolutionary entanglement with the technology that shapes our existence. Reben has become a leading figure at the intersection of art and technology. He was OpenAI’s first Artist in Residence, and had his first solo museum retrospective, “AI Am I?” in 2024 at the Crocker Art Museum. His work has been exhibited globally at institutions including Ars Electronica, MAK Contemporary Art Museum, Vitra Design Museum, Design Museum Ghent, and the Vienna Biennale. As an expert in his field, he has lectured at TED, SXSW, TTI Vanguard, Google, UC Berkeley, SMFA, CCA, MIT, and Harvard. Reben’s work has been covered by CNN, NPR, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Washington Post, Fast Company, Filmmaker Magazine, New Scientist, BBC, PBS, Discovery Channel, Cool Hunting and WIRED, among others.

​-

​Amy Wu is the Founder and CEO of Manifest. Manifest is a Gen Z mental health community that builds emotional wellness for our users through daily AI challenges that transform self-care into a rewarding and habitual experience. Manifest is backed by a16z Speedrun, STVL, Florida Funders, HF0, Soma Capital, amongst others. Prior to Manifest, Amy built Player Edition, an NBA NFT startup with the Rivers and Curry families. Amy was formerly an investor at ICONIQ Growth where she worked with companies like Zoom, Red Ventures and Truckstop. She is an alumna of Stanford University's School of Engineering. 

​Presented by:

​Artist and the Machine is an event series & community exploring the Future of Artificial Intelligence, Creativity and Humanity. @artistandthemachine
 
JP. Morgan Startup Banking: You’ve got the vision; we’ve got the blueprint. At J.P. Morgan, our bankers aren’t just financial professionals—they’re former founders, industry leaders, investors, and company builders equipped to guide you from idea to IPO and beyond. Our unmatched reach, solutions and technology can help you disrupt any market. Learn more here: J.P. Morgan Innovation Economy and reach out if you have any questions!

​​NeueHouse is the private work and social home for creative and professional progress. Through beautifully designed houses, thought-provoking cultural programming, and elevated hospitality, NeueHouse offers an unparalleled work experience that unlocks the potential of brands and innovators alike. www.neuehouse.com