My Feb 2026 Katz Lecture for UW's Simpson Center for the Humanities is now available on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7Lc6QNxolQ

Unfortunately, the recording doesn't include the Q&A. Two things I remember from that:

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Resisting Dehumanization in the Age of "AI": The View from the Humanities, Emily M. Bender

YouTube

The first is a student who asked how to resist pressure to use "AI" without being a stick in the mud. I said: Be a stick in the mud! Help create the solid ground that others might stand on too.

I shared this story with Sam Cole on the @404mediaco podcast, too:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwBZiuH-1QY

The Marketing Tricks of "Artificial Intelligence"

YouTube
@emilymbender
Great advice. I'm doing that at my work but so far appear to be the only person refusing to use AI.
@404mediaco