An article in the Washington Post (Nov. 3, 2026) about Google’s AI division claimed that “some staff members are forbidden by their employment contracts from criticizing the company for the rest of their lives, even if they leave the firm”. The article focused on employee’s inability to voice concerns about AI projects they are working on. The Executive Director of the AI Futures Project and former OpenAI researcher believes there is an 18% chance that AI will eliminate humanity by the end of this decade. The Godfather of AI, Nobel Prize recipient Geoff Hinton, thinks that “humans may be just one phase in the evolution of intelligence” and is speaking out about AI threats to all of us.
CNBC reported on November 4th that in the recent midterm elections voters passed restrictions on data centers in 40 of the 41 state ballot measures. MIT and Harvard research shows cognitive decline from AI use. Public pushback is strengthening. Emerging professionals are disproportionally impacted by reduced entry level opportunities and their ability to gain experience and expertise from employment. AI is too beneficial to our lighting community to fade away but users should be alert to the sacrifices that usage brings. This session will address benefits and risks for lighting professionals using artificial intelligence.
- Free registration for members / $29 USD for Non-Members
- Registration for this event ends on Thursday, December 17, 2026 at 12:00 PM (ET)
- Participants will receive one (1) IES continuing education credits (CEUs)
