Ruha Benjamin Distinguished Lecture Series & Book Signing- Class of 2026

 On September 17th, I attended Spelman alumna Dr. Ruha Benjamin’s Distinguished Lecture and book signing. This semester, my History of Social Thought course has discussed Dr. Benjamin’s work and lectures many times in class and throughout assignments. She discussed a few of her books in her lecture, including Viral Justice and Race After Technology, and their political/social implications. I really enjoyed her remarks about AI (artificial intelligence) versus AI (ancestral intelligence) and the harmfulness of accelerationist culture. I think it’s essential for us as college students to pay attention to these new technological advancements, consider what they mean for our intellectual future, and reflect on how our ancestral strength can balance or even combat the issues that may arise from these developments.

I also appreciated that students in both the sociology and computer science disciplines were able to lead the conversation with Dr. Benjamin, as it allowed for a well-rounded discussion with multiple perspectives. The lecture itself was very engaging and interactive, with different crowd participation activities that made the content more digestible. Overall, I really enjoyed the lecture and am excited to apply some of the concepts and ideas presented throughout the semester in my coursework, especially since the topics discussed are so relevant and constantly evolving. This experience also inspired me to think more critically about technology and the rapid advancements being made in AI.

(3 Points)

By Aisjah Glaspie