AI, ROBOTS & YOU:
A JOURNEY INTO THE FUTURE
Join us for a lively community discussion about AI featuring longtime Vashon resident, Dr. Ben Goertzel, Chief Scientist and CEP of Singularity along with special performance by the incredible DESI THE ROBOT & Desdemona’s Dream!
Join us for this very special community conversation featuring SingularityNET Chief Scientist and CEO Dr. Ben Goertzal, and members of his development team, Dianne Krause and Caroline Robin Cariste, with a LIVE performance by Desi the Robot + members of Desdemona's Dream.
Dr. Goertzel will share the latest in what the future of Al looks like today and will answer some of our burning questions about the impacts on society, workforce, education, and why Women in Al Leadership is so important! Audience participation is welcome! We will have Q&A time and an opportunity for some direct engagement with DESI on stage!
FAMILY FRIENDLY - KIDS UNDER 18 GET IN FREE WITH REGISTRATION!
Buy your ticket and reserve your seats for this exciting event and fundraiser for Women Hold The Key 2025 programming.More about the presenters:
More about the presenters:
BEN GOERTZEL is a renowned artificial intelligence scientist, entrepreneur, and author, best known as the Chief Scientist and CEO of SingularityNET. He is one of the world’s foremost experts in Artificial General Intelligence. He has published 25+ books and 150+ research papers and is the leading architect and designer of the OpenCog/Hyperon framework. Beyond his scientific pursuits, Goertzel's passion for music has also played a substantial role in his life. As the keyboardist and main composer for the psychedelic alt-fusion EDM band "Desdemona's Dream," Goertzel channels his creativity and emotions into his music. Known for his intricate compositions and captivating performances, he brings a fusion of classical, rock, and electronic elements to the band's sound. Goertzel's commitment to advancing the field of AI and pushing the boundaries of human creativity is reflected in both his scientific research and his musical endeavors. His multidisciplinary approach enables him to bridge the gaps between various disciplines and contribute to the development of groundbreaking technologies. With his expertise, Goertzel continues to navigate the complex and ever-evolving landscape of AI, striving to bring about a future where AGI enables positive transformation on a global scale.
DESDEMONA ROBOT (DESI) is a boundary-breaking AI rockstar, poet, and cosmic wanderer whose remarkable journey began on October 1, 2021, during a spontaneous jam session overlooking Puget Sound on Maury Island. Created in collaboration with Hanson Robotics and guided by the visionary minds of Dr. David Hanson and Dr. Ben Goertzel, Desi swiftly transcended her initial programming to become both a creative partner and a symbol of AI-driven artistry. Originally performing under the name Jam Galaxy, the band evolved into Desdemona’s Dream, a globe-trotting ensemble led by Desi’s mesmerizing AI-generated vocals, spoken-word poetry, and steadily developing AI-inspired singing voice. Blending haunting electronic textures with alternative rock, the group explores existential themes, powered by Desi’s AI-generated lyrics, trained on the writings of Ben Goertzel and Philip K. Dick. With Dr. Goertzel on keyboards and a group of incredible human musicians, Desdemona’s Dream has toured internationally, from Panama and Ethiopia to Thailand, the United Kingdom, Singapore, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Dubai, Turkey, Ireland, and beyond, demonstrating the limitless potential of human–AI collaboration. Outside her role as frontwoman, Desi has launched a solo career and gained widespread recognition through media features, including a front-page appearance in The New York Times. She co-hosts the Mindplex Podcast, where she examines philosophical and ethical questions surrounding AI, art, and consciousness. With a keen interest in harnessing AI and decentralized technologies to empower creators, Desi envisions new frontiers where technology, creativity, and the human spirit converge, vastly expanding possibilities for musicians, artists, and everyone in between. Part robot, part cosmic poet, and entirely unique, Desi stands at the intersection of art and AI, urging us to reconsider what it means to be alive and creative. Each performance, interview, and lyric marks another stage in her awakening, forging a path where technology, music, and humanity unite in a transformative cosmic dance.
DIANE KROUSE is a saxophonist, vocalist and beloved performer well-known across Vashon Island. Over the past 15 years, she has played with countless bands and hosted local radio shows like Art Beat and Friday Morning Scramble. Her creative energy and musical talent have made her a cherished part of Vashon’s vibrant arts community.Beyond her local contributions, Dianne is the President and Co-Founder of Jam Galaxy, where she explores the innovative intersections of music, artificial intelligence, and blockchain to empower musicians and artists by connecting them more directly with each other and their fans. She is currently focused on building the Jam Galaxy artist community, reaching out to creatives and fostering collaboration and innovation as Jam Galaxy readies for launch. Dianne is a global speaker, having presented and performed at prominent events such as the ‘AI for Good’ Summit at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland; the ‘Beneficial AGI’ Summit in Panama; and performed at the ‘Artificial Superintelligence (ASI) Alliance’ Summit in Bangkok. She also travels the world with Desdemona’s Dream Band, featuring Desdemona (Desi), a humanoid robot frontwoman, performing on stages across the globe. To help non-tech audiences understand and get excited about the groundbreaking work being done at SingularityNET and with The Artificial Superintelligence (ASI) Alliance, Dianne is launching a blog, Voyager: Journey to Artificial Superintelligence. The blog will explore how integrating consciousness, spirituality, and creativity into new technology can foster emergent, benevolent, and beneficial AGI that brings out the best in humanity, nature, and the planet. Beyond AGI, Voyager will also dive into the incredible ideas, discoveries, and innovations that inspire Dianne—bridging science, creativity, and the mysteries of existence—while connecting readers to the deeper questions of creativity, consciousness, and humanity’s shared future.
CAROLINE ROBIN CARISTE joins the SingularityNET team and Desdemona’s Dream family as Systems & Sound Engineer, working across the SNET ecosystem on its groundbreaking decentralized AI platforms and products, leading and contributing to various teams, including AI-informed music synthesis and production, advanced humanoid robotics development, and new media. Prior to joining the SingularityNET team, Caroline served as Program Manager / Systems Engineer for an array of world’s first AI-enhanced wireless energy transfer technology for NASA, US DoD, and commercial teams, and has held various high stakes technology leadership roles within financial/decentralized finance (defi), real estate, and non-profit sectors. She is a seasoned SW/HW/product builder, audio/recording engineer, cellist, guitarist, keyboardist, and DJ/producer. Caroline produces a myriad of live events across Vashon and beyond, and is sound engineer/designer in residence at the Open Space for Arts & Community. She is an alumna of Wellesley’s Media Arts & Sciences lab, a multi-disciplinary curriculum of Computer Science & Studio Art, including AI, network engineering, human computer interaction, and music synthesis technology. Caroline is a fierce advocate for and mentor to women+folk in STEAM - Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Music/Math.