Join us to explore a world full of minds
Join us to explore a world full of minds
Join us to explore a world full of minds
For centuries, we defined intelligence in our own image and ignored everything else. We were wrong. Birds can beat primates at logic puzzles, forests can communicate through fungal networks, bee colonies think together, and new artificial minds can write poetry. But if a slime mold can navigate a maze and a silicon chip can reason, what exactly is intelligence? Join us for a special evening where scientists, philosophers, writers, and artists take the stage to map this strange new territory.
This event marks the launch of the John Templeton Foundation’s Intelligence Venture, a three-year, $60+ million exploration into the nature and future of intelligence.
For centuries, we defined intelligence in our own image and ignored everything else.
We were wrong.
Birds can beat primates at logic puzzles, forests can communicate through fungal networks, bee colonies think together, and new artificial minds can write poetry.
But if a slime mold can navigate a maze and a silicon chip can reason, what exactly is intelligence?
Join us for a special evening where scientists, philosophers, writers, and artists take the stage to map this strange new territory.
This event marks the launch of the John Templeton Foundation’s Intelligence Venture, a three-year, $60+ million exploration into the nature and future of intelligence.
For centuries, we defined intelligence in our own image and ignored everything else.
We were wrong.
Birds can beat primates at logic puzzles, forests can communicate through fungal networks, bee colonies think together, and new artificial minds can write poetry.
But if a slime mold can navigate a maze and a silicon chip can reason, what exactly is intelligence?
Join us for a special evening where scientists, philosophers, writers, and artists take the stage to map this strange new territory.
This event marks the launch of the John Templeton Foundation’s Intelligence Venture, a three-year, $60+ million exploration into the nature and future of intelligence.
WHEN
Saturday, October 3, 2026
Saturday, October 3, 2026
One night only
WHERE
The Broad Stage at Santa Monica College
The Broad Stage at Santa Monica College
1310 11th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
SCHEDULE
Doors open at 5:30 PM
Doors open at 5:30 PM
Program starts promptly at 6:15 PM
THE LINEUP
Six speakers exploring the future of intelligence
Six speakers exploring the future of intelligence
WITH EMCEE
Chris Duffy
Chris Duffy
Chris Duffy
Comedian, author, and host of TED’s
How to Be a Better Human podcast
Comedian, author, and host of TED’s How to Be a Better Human podcast
Alison Gopnik
Alison Gopnik
Alison Gopnik
PROFESSOR, UC BERKELEY
"The Many Intelligences of Being Human"
Diana Reiss
Diana Reiss
Diana Reiss
PROFESSOR, HUNTER COLLEGE (CUNY)
"The Mind in the Mirror"
Felicity Muth
Felicity Muth
Felicity Muth
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, UC DAVIS
"What Bees Know"
"What Bees Know"
Dora Biro
Dora Biro
Dora Biro
PROFESSOR, UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
"Collective Brains"
Blaise Agüera y Arcas
Blaise Agüera y Arcas
Blaise Agüera y Arcas
CTO OF TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY, GOOGLE
"The New Landscape of Intelligence"
Jon Spaihts
Jon Spaihts
Jon Spaihts
ACADEMY AWARD–NOMINATED SCREENWRITER
"The Universe Wakes Up"
“The Universe Wakes Up”
THE RUNDOWN
THE RUNDOWN
What to Expect
What to Expect
World Class Speakers
World Class Speakers
Six speakers including scientists, authors, philosophers, and artists will share insights about intelligence from their work.
Six speakers including scientists, authors, philosophers, and artists will share insights about intelligence from their work.
Moving Performances
Moving Performances
An incredible musician will join us on stage for beautiful performance that embodies the night’s theme.
An incredible musician will join us on stage for beautiful performance that embodies the night’s theme.
After Party
After Party
Once the show ends, please stick around to mingle with our speakers and other guests for conversation, connection, and community.
Once the show ends, please stick around to mingle with our speakers and other guests for conversation, connection, and community.
LOCATION
LOCATION
Join us in Santa Monica
We’re gathering at The Broad Stage, an intimate theater in the heart of Santa Monica.
We're gathering at The Broad Stage, an intimate theater in the heart of Santa Monica.
LOCATION
Join us in Santa Monica
We’re gathering at The Broad Stage, an intimate theater in the heart of Santa Monica.
We're gathering at The Broad Stage, an intimate theater in the heart of Santa Monica.
ABOUT OUR HOST
ABOUT OUR HOST
Funding the science of intelligence, wherever it emerges
Funding the science of intelligence, wherever it emerges
Funding the science of intelligence, wherever it emerges
Funding the science of intelligence, wherever it emerges
Starting in 2026, the John Templeton Foundation will award over $60 million in grants across six funding areas to pursue these questions, distributed over three years to philosophers, biologists, physicists, computer scientists, and more, in a truly multidisciplinary exploration.
Starting in 2026, the John Templeton Foundation will award over $60 million in grants across six funding areas to pursue these questions, distributed over three years to philosophers, biologists, physicists, computer scientists, and more, in a truly multidisciplinary exploration.
The John Templeton Foundation supports interdisciplinary research and catalyzes conversations that inspire awe and wonder. Our funding areas define our philanthropic priorities and advance our aspiration to create a world where people are curious about the wonders of the universe, free to pursue lives of meaning and purpose, and motivated by great and selfless love.
The John Templeton Foundation supports interdisciplinary research and catalyzes conversations that inspire awe and wonder. Our funding areas define our philanthropic priorities and advance our aspiration to create a world where people are curious about the wonders of the universe, free to pursue lives of meaning and purpose, and motivated by great and selfless love.