Latest news with #BrianEno
Fast Company
a day ago
- Business
- Fast Company
Douglas Rushkoff wants us to use AI to ask better questions
Douglas Rushkoff, the writer and media theorist who chronicled the countercultural spirit of early '90s online culture in books like Cyberia, hopes AI can help recapture that era's sense of possibility. 'I feel like there's another opportunity to kind of stop using technology on people, and for people to start using technology to realize new visions,' says Rushkoff. He recently joined the AI consulting startup Andus Labs, where he serves as a kind of scholar-in-residence. He's also helping produce an upcoming Andus event called After Now, which will take place on July 23 and allow both online and in-person audiences in Manhattan to share thoughts on how AI will shape the future. Speakers include musician Brian Eno, The Atlantic CEO Nick Thompson, MIT scientist Nataliya Kos'myna, and investors Esther Dyson and Albert Wenger. Thompson will speak on AI's impact on the media and information ecosystem. Eno, who has long worked with pre-LLM generative technologies to create music and art, will join Rushkoff in a conversation about 'emergence, uncertainty, and the creative power of letting go.' Comedian Greg Barris is scheduled to demonstrate how to build a collaborative AI assistant. Entrepreneur Julia Dixon, who created the AI platform ESAI to help college applicants despite having little tech background, will discuss how no-code tools can turn 'AI curiosity into scaled impact.' Dyson and Wenger will explore how AI may transform business, along with broader economic and social systems. The event will also help Andus Labs—founded by Chris Perry, a former innovation executive at marketing agency Weber Shandwick—begin building a network of AI-focused professionals. But according to Rushkoff, it's equally an opportunity to reflect on what the AI era should look like: not just how the technology is used, but how society and work may need to evolve alongside it. 'Rather than looking for fast answers, how do we iterate with these technologies to create new and more compelling questions?' says Rushkoff. Already, Andus Labs is collaborating with Marina Gorbis, executive director of the Institute for the Future in Palo Alto, on a concept they call a 'civic stack' for public AI applications. The company also plans to help corporate clients build internal AI innovation labs—spaces where small teams can explore how AI might serve their unique needs, rather than treat it as just another IT product. 'As if they're bringing in Lotus 1-2-3,' Rushkoff says. 'The idea is to go into a company and find 10 or 20 people who are willing to think and experiment in this way, and have a certain amount of their time be able to be dedicated to really thinking through what aspects of their company they want to start to interrogate and amplify with these technologies, and then working with them to hopefully develop bespoke instances.' Andus Labs also plans to publish insights from its work, Rushkoff says, as part of a broader effort to promote what it calls 'generative thinking'—not just by machines, but by humans. 'We're trying to be to the autonomous technology age, what Bauhaus was to the industrial age,' Rushkoff says. 'Bauhaus was looking at how you design industrially around the human body, and human perception, and human scale.' Rushkoff is the author of more than a dozen books, including Survival of the Richest and Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus, and hosts the podcast Team Human. His work often critiques techno-solutionism and the commodification of human attention, pushing instead for more humane and equitable uses of technology. His goal with Andus is to focus on a more human-centered approach than that of traditional tech firms, which he says often see AI as merely a new domain for market expansion. He doesn't intend to shy away from broader societal questions, including why people still need to work for a living, even as AI reshapes the economy. 'I know it sounds idealistic, but I guess what I'm saying is these apparent AI challenges can launch different kinds of conversations,' he says. 'And then they suggest a different way of working with AI, which is not to accelerate the rate at which we can develop industrial age, easy solutions for problems, but rather to engage in a new style of generative thinking, [where] we iterate questions and problems with artificial intelligence.'
The National
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Garbage join artists opposing pro-Palestine censorship
The group, known as Ethical Syndicate Palestine, was launched by the band Massive Attack in response to what they claim is a coordinated campaign to silence artists speaking out against the ongoing crisis in Gaza. Alongside Garbage, other acts signed up to the initiative include Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap, Brian Eno and a number of other musicians and producers who have voiced solidarity with Palestine. READ MORE: 55 arrested in Westminster as protests grow over Palestine Action ban The announcement comes in the wake of a new documentary released by campaigning group Led By Donkeys, which exposes the activities of UK Lawyers for Israel Ltd (UKLFI). According to the film, the group has used legal and institutional pressure to silence pro-Palestine activism, particularly in the arts and cultural sectors. Led By Donkeys stated: 'UK Lawyers for Israel Ltd has tried to silence various voices supporting Palestine. Their charitable wing has made public statements rejecting international law.' In a statement shared on Instagram, Massive Attack wrote: 'Because of our expressions of conscience, we've been subject to various intimidations from within our industry ... and legally via organised bodies such as UKLFI.' They described the situation in Gaza as having 'moved beyond description,' and called on the wider music community to support younger, more vulnerable artists who may feel unable to speak out. The group urged those impacted to contact the Ethical Syndicate Palestine directly. Led By Donkeys added: 'The weaponisation of antisemitism ... not only hurts civil liberties and human rights, it also damages the real fight against antisemitism.' The crackdown on pro-Palestinian voices in UK music has escalated in recent months. Bob Vylan were dropped by their agents and investigated by police after chanting 'death to the IDF' at Glastonbury. READ MORE: RECAP: Activists defy Labour with illegal pro-Palestine T-shirts at Edinburgh demo Meanwhile, Kneecap member Liam Ó hAnnaidh, AKA Mo Chara, is facing prosecution under the Terrorism Act after allegedly holding a Hezbollah flag on stage. Despite mounting pressures, more musicians – many previously seen as apolitical – are breaking their silence. In May, Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds raised a Palestinian flag during a concert in Milan, joining a chorus of international dissent.
Roya News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Roya News
British band forms alliance of musicians to advocate for Gaza
A new alliance of prominent UK and Irish musicians, spearheaded by Massive Attack, Brian Eno, Kneecap, and Fontaines D.C., publicly announced its formation. This collective aims to combat what its members describe as "aggressive, vexatious campaigns" of censorship within the music industry, particularly targeting artists who speak out against 'Israel's' ongoing genocide in Gaza. The alliance emphasizes that the situation in Gaza has 'moved beyond description'. The alliance's core mission is to protect artists from "threats into silence or career cancellation" and encourages vulnerable artists to contact them for support. They have outlined concrete demands, including an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, immediate and unfettered access for recognized aid agencies, an end to the 'atrocious targeting' of medical and aid workers, and a cessation of UK arms sales and licenses to 'Israel'. Censorship Campaigns and Recent Incidents The alliance directly addresses "aggressive, vexatious campaigns" and "intimidation tactics" experienced by artists who voice opinions on Palestine. They explicitly name UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) as instrumental in orchestrating these campaigns, including legal threats and reports to law enforcement. The campaign group Led By Donkeys released a documentary on July 17, claiming to expose UKLFI's "attempted censorship activities" and the "weaponisation of antisemitism". The formation of this alliance was directly spurred by several recent, high-profile controversies: Bob Vylan: At the Glastonbury festival, the UK punk-rap duo chanted "Free, free Palestine" and "Death to the IDF." The BBC issued an apology, police initiated a criminal investigation, their agent terminated their contract, and the US Deputy Secretary of State announced a US travel ban. Bob Vylan denied accusations of hate speech, calling the backlash a "distraction" from "the slaughter of innocents" in Gaza. Kneecap: The Irish hip-hop trio gained global attention in May 2025 after projecting "Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people" at the Coachella festival. They faced a "global political and media witch-hunt," leading to concert cancellations and a terrorism charge against a member for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag. However, on July 18, 2025, Avon and Somerset Police announced they were dropping the criminal investigation into Kneecap due to "insufficient evidence". An open letter titled "Artists Say No to Censorship," circulated by Kneecap's record label, garnered widespread support from over 100 US, British, and Irish bands, musicians, and DJs, including Christy Moore, Dexys, Fontaines D.C., Leftfield, Massive Attack, Mogwai, Orbital, Paul Weller, Primal Scream, Brian Eno, Paloma Faith, Kae Tempest, and Tom Morello. Caroline Turner, director of UKLFI, asserted that Massive Attack had "launched an attack on our organization, which helps to protect victims of anti-Jewish and anti-Israel racism". UKLFI confirmed reporting Bob Vylan and Kneecap to the police and warning venues about "risks". Massive Attack countered that their visuals were part of a larger collage and taken out of context.
Leader Live
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Kneecap and Brian Eno call on artists to join syndicate to support Palestine
They, along with campaign group Led By Donkeys, have all posted the same message on Instagram, calling on other artists who fear they will be 'threatened into silence or career cancellation' for talking about Palestine to join them in a syndicate. Massive Attack and Brian Eno have long spoken out in support of Palestine, while Kneecap have made headlines in recent months after one of their members was charged with a terrorism offence relating to allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah. The Irish rap group claim this is part of a smear campaign against them because of their vocal support for Palestine and criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza, which they say is a genocide. 'The scenes in Gaza have moved beyond description,' the post read. 'We write as artists who've chosen to use our public platforms to speak out against the genocide occurring there and the role of the UK Government in facilitating it. 'Because of our expressions of conscience, we've been subject to various intimidations from within our industry (live and recorded) and legally via organised bodies such as UK Lawyers For Israel. 'Having withstood these campaigns of attempted censorship, we won't stand by and allow other artists – particularly those at earlier stages of their careers or in other positions of professional vulnerability – to be threatened into silence or career cancellation. 'In this spirit, we encourage artists who've been placed in this position, or those who now wish to use their platforms to talk about Palestine, but are concerned about industrial repercussions, to contact us @ ethicalsyndicatepalestine@ The Instagram post also made a series of demands, including an immediate ceasefire, an end to UK arms sales and licences to Israel, and a free Palestine. A spokeswoman for UK Lawyers For Israel (UKLFI) accused Massive Attack of having 'launched an attack on our organisation, which helps to protect victims of anti-Jewish and anti-Israel racism'. She said that following Massive Attack's set at London's Lido Festival in June, 'we were contacted by several Jewish and Israeli audience members who were deeply distressed and traumatised' after the act invited an 'anti-Israel activist' on stage. Kneecap performed to a sea of Palestinian flags during their set at Glastonbury Festival in June. Their performance followed that of punk rap duo Bob Vylan, who spoke out against Israel. Police have since launched an investigation into the group, formed in Ipswich in 2017, after their frontman led crowds in chants of 'Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)' during their set at the Somerset music festival. Kneecap's Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was charged in May, and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on August 20.
Rhyl Journal
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Kneecap and Brian Eno call on artists to join syndicate to support Palestine
They, along with campaign group Led By Donkeys, have all posted the same message on Instagram, calling on other artists who fear they will be 'threatened into silence or career cancellation' for talking about Palestine to join them in a syndicate. Massive Attack and Brian Eno have long spoken out in support of Palestine, while Kneecap have made headlines in recent months after one of their members was charged with a terrorism offence relating to allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah. The Irish rap group claim this is part of a smear campaign against them because of their vocal support for Palestine and criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza, which they say is a genocide. 'The scenes in Gaza have moved beyond description,' the post read. 'We write as artists who've chosen to use our public platforms to speak out against the genocide occurring there and the role of the UK Government in facilitating it. 'Because of our expressions of conscience, we've been subject to various intimidations from within our industry (live and recorded) and legally via organised bodies such as UK Lawyers For Israel. 'Having withstood these campaigns of attempted censorship, we won't stand by and allow other artists – particularly those at earlier stages of their careers or in other positions of professional vulnerability – to be threatened into silence or career cancellation. 'In this spirit, we encourage artists who've been placed in this position, or those who now wish to use their platforms to talk about Palestine, but are concerned about industrial repercussions, to contact us @ ethicalsyndicatepalestine@ The Instagram post also made a series of demands, including an immediate ceasefire, an end to UK arms sales and licences to Israel, and a free Palestine. A spokeswoman for UK Lawyers For Israel (UKLFI) accused Massive Attack of having 'launched an attack on our organisation, which helps to protect victims of anti-Jewish and anti-Israel racism'. She said that following Massive Attack's set at London's Lido Festival in June, 'we were contacted by several Jewish and Israeli audience members who were deeply distressed and traumatised' after the act invited an 'anti-Israel activist' on stage. Kneecap performed to a sea of Palestinian flags during their set at Glastonbury Festival in June. Their performance followed that of punk rap duo Bob Vylan, who spoke out against Israel. Police have since launched an investigation into the group, formed in Ipswich in 2017, after their frontman led crowds in chants of 'Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)' during their set at the Somerset music festival. Kneecap's Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was charged in May, and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on August 20.
