John Etchemendy is a renowned American philosopher and academic, known for his humanistic approach to artificial intelligence. Serving as Stanford University’s Provost from 2000 to 2017, he now co-directs the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI) alongside Fei-Fei Li, former Vice President at Google. Etchemendy advocates for interdisciplinary debates on AI, integrating the humanities to ensure its development benefits humanity while addressing potential risks.
Etchemendy earned his B.A. and M.A. in Philosophy from the University of Nevada, Reno, and his Ph.D. from Stanford in 1982. After a brief tenure at Princeton, he returned to Stanford, where he has held key roles including Director of the Center for the Study of Language and Information, Senior Associate Dean for the Humanities, and Provost.
He is the author of seven books and numerous articles on logic, with his seminal work *The Concept of Logical Consequence* widely regarded as a masterpiece in the field. His scholarship challenges long-standing paradigms in logic, language, and thought.
At Stanford HAI, Etchemendy leads efforts to foster academic and political discussions that guide AI development toward ethical and beneficial outcomes. He collaborates with prominent figures like Reid Hoffman, Eric Schmidt, and Marissa Mayer to shape policies that maximize AI’s virtues while mitigating its risks.
John Etchemendy’s talks offer thought-provoking insights into the challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence. With a clear and engaging style, he emphasizes the importance of incorporating humanistic perspectives into technology development to ensure responsible innovation. His presentations inspire audiences to consider the transformative impact of AI on society and the need for informed policies to guide its advancement. These talks are ideal for academic, political, and corporate audiences seeking a deeper understanding of AI’s implications.
A comprehensive analysis of how AI is shaping our lives, its potential benefits, and the ethical, social, and political risks it poses.
Explores how the humanities can collaborate with technology to ensure a more inclusive and ethical development of AI.
Insights into how AI will transform human activities and replace many of them, with strategies to prepare for this shift.
A roadmap for how governments can address the challenges of AI through regulations that balance innovation and safety.
Drawing from his philosophical work, this talk examines how technological advances are redefining our understanding of language and thought.
If you’re looking for a profound and enlightening talk on artificial intelligence and its impact on humanity, you can book John Etchemendy through Thinking Heads. As a leading academic and co-director of Stanford HAI, John offers a unique, multidisciplinary perspective that blends philosophy, technology, and public policy. Contact Thinking Heads today for more information and to secure his participation in your next event.
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© Thinking Heads, 2025
MADRID
+(34) 91 310 77 40
+(34) 91 310 77 40
MIAMI
+1 (305) 424 13 20
SEOUL
+(34) 91 310 77 40