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Illinois Libraries Present: Karen Hao

Virtual-Live Zoom Program

2026-09-17 19:00:00 2026-09-17 20:00:00 America/Chicago Illinois Libraries Present: Karen Hao Join a timely conversation with Karen Hao, award-winning journalist and author of Inside the Empire of AI. R Offsite -

Thursday, September 17
7:00pm - 8:00pm

Join a timely conversation with Karen Hao, award-winning journalist and author of Inside the Empire of AI. R

In this virtual event, Hao will explore the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, the social, political, and ethical questions surrounding AI development today, and the questions posed in her work – Will AI produce broad-based societal benefit for all? Or return us to an age 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 technological shifts.

Karen Hao is the instant New York Times bestselling author 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 The Wall Street Journal, covering American and Chinese tech companies, and a senior editor for AI at MIT Technology Review. Her work has been cited by Congress, featured in university curriculums, and remade into museum exhibits.   

Virtual program offered at libraries across Illinois. These programs are always available virtually. Two ways to participate: In-person watch party with a virtual speaker or Zoom.

This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide 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 provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). ILP is committed to inclusion and diversity. To request accommodations, please email illinoislibrariespresent@gmail.com

Registration for this event closes at 5:00 p.m. on event day. Late registrations will be processed after the live event, allowing access to the event recording.

R = Registration required.

AGE GROUP: | Adult |

EVENT TYPE: | Virtual | Adult |

TAGS: | |

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We're open 9:00AM to 9:00PM

Mon, Sep 14 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Tue, Sep 15 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Wed, Sep 16 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Thu, Sep 17 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Fri, Sep 18 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Sat, Sep 19 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Sep 20 12:00PM to 5:00PM

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Thu, Sep 17, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Join a timely conversation with Karen Hao, award-winning journalist and author of Inside the Empire of AI. R
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