A modern salon for deep, multi-disciplinary inquiry into life, freedom and meaning in the age of intelligent systems (AI/4IR)
A modern salon for deep, multi-disciplinary inquiry into life, freedom and meaning in the age of intelligent systems (AI/4IR)
The Salon de Staël Society represents a contemporary revival of the classic European salon, fostering small, serious, hosted conversations where individuals can think together about the forces reshaping their world, particularly in relation to AI and human flourishing. We bring together diverse minds from fields such as history, philosophy, psychology, economics, politics and spirituality to explore a central question: what sort of future will allow humans and societies to truly flourish as the Fourth Industrial Revolution reshapes work, freedom and what it means to be human?
Salon de Staël Society is named in honor of Germaine de Staël (1766–1817), a Swiss-French salonnière who opposed tyranny and championed constitutional limits on power. In the spirit of her salons that bridged nations and disciplines, the Society uses this format to tackle the complex questions of our future.
Salon de Staël Society is dedicated to thoughtfully exploring what it means for human beings and societies to thrive during the Fourth Industrial Revolution. We examine AI not as the main character of the story, but as one of the forces shaping the context in which timeless questions about human flourishing, freedom, dignity, meaning and community must be revisited. Our mission is to foster environments where these critical discussions about the future of work and AI can be addressed honestly, collectively and in depth.
Host in-person salons with the Salon de Staël Society, featuring carefully curated gatherings under the Chatham House Rule. These events allow participants to think out loud, express disagreements and change their minds without performance or posturing, fostering discussions about AI and human flourishing.
Think across disciplines by drawing on theory, history, psychology, economics, philosophy, politics and spiritual traditions to understand the Fourth Industrial Revolution in full depth, viewing it not just as a tech or business story, but as a transformation of work, freedom and human flourishing
Serve as a qualitative observatory; after each salon, hosts complete a structured debrief. Over time, this process creates a body of qualitative insight into how real people in different cities are experiencing the transformative effects of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Contribute to wider conversations by synthesizing what we learn into essays, field notes and brief reports for the broader intellectual and civic ecosystem.
Season 1: Flourishing in the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Our first season explores how flourishing might look under Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) conditions:
Flourishing in the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Mapping the landscape; asking what “flourishing” could mean for individuals and societies in the context of AI and human flourishing.
Work, Value, and Dignity Beyond Industry 4.0
Automation, purpose, livelihoods and new forms of work and non-work as we examine the future of work and AI.
Self, Psyche, and Spirit in an Algorithmic Age
Attention, anxiety, identity and spiritual life when intelligent systems are embedded everywhere, raising questions about freedom in the age of AI.
Power, Governance and Freedom in a New Machine Age
Who shapes these systems? How do we preserve agency, rights and civic freedom in this evolving landscape?
Love, Community and the Social Fabric Under Automation
Family, friendship, care and community when much of life is mediated by or shared with machines, emphasizing the importance of social connections.
Designing Futures of Flourishing
Synthesizing insights into personal and collective 'playbooks' for living and acting well in this era, guided by the principles of the Salon de Staël Society.
Germaine de Staël
Our namesake, Germaine de Staël, was a Swiss-French writer, political thinker and legendary salonnière. Her salons in Paris and at Coppet brought together exiles, statesmen, philosophers and artists to grapple with the future of Europe in the wake of the French Revolution and during the rise of Napoleon. De Staël opposed authoritarian power and argued for constitutional limits and individual liberty, championing open, cross-border intellectual exchange. In this spirit, we explore themes like AI and human flourishing, freedom in the age of AI and the future of work and AI, using the salon as a form of intellectual infrastructure in a time when society's basic coordinates were in flux. We consider her an ancestor in spirit: freedom-oriented, intellectually serious and willing to host difficult conversations during periods of upheaval. The term 'Society' signals that this is more than just a single living room; it is an emerging network and, over time, an institution, much like the Salon de Staël Society.
Many describe our moment as the Fourth Industrial Revolution: a convergence of technologies including artificial intelligence, advanced robotics, biotechnology and pervasive connectivity that is entangling the physical, digital and biological dimensions of human life.
These shifts extend beyond mere technical or economic changes; they impact:
how we work and create value,
how we relate and form relationships,
how we govern and are governed,
how we make sense of ourselves and seek meaning.
Salon de Staël Society exists because this transition cannot be fully understood or shaped by technical and economic analysis alone. We need spaces where diverse, thoughtful humans can slow down and collectively ask: What sort of future will allow humans and societies to truly flourish?
How do we safeguard and deepen freedom in the age of AI, ensuring dignity and abundance while avoiding a complacent march towards their erosion?
A salon is a hosted gathering for serious conversation, situated somewhere between a seminar, a dinner party and a small council. At the Salon de Staël Society, there are no spectators; everyone is a participant, contributing to discussions on pivotal topics such as AI and human flourishing and the future of work and AI in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
A typical salon at the Salon de Staël Society unfolds as follows:
Before:
6–12 people are intentionally invited. A clear theme is established, often focusing on freedom in the age of AI, along with a short reading packet and 2–3 guiding questions to hold the evening.
During:
As guests arrive, a simple opening question ensures every voice enters the room. The host provides brief framing, followed by a round of reflections leading into open, guided dialogue. Respectful disagreement, real listening and space for silence and complexity are encouraged. The closing round invites participants to share, “What are you leaving with?” or “What question will you carry?”
After:
The host completes a structured debrief, capturing themes, tensions, questions, anonymized quotes, emotional tones and emerging ideas. These notes contribute to our central qualitative observatory and, when appropriate, inform public Notebook pieces.
All conversations adhere to a version of the Chatham House Rule: ideas and insights can be shared outside, but identities and personal stories remain confidential.
We are excited to announce the launch of our inaugural salon season in Miami. Our vision is to establish Salon de Staël Society chapters in various cities over time, contributing to discussions about AI and human flourishing in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Each salon chapter will:
- Share the annual meta-theme (e.g., Flourishing in the Fourth Industrial Revolution),
- Commit to the same ethos and core practices,
- Potentially develop a specialization, such as:
- Education and formation
- Historical preservation and memory
- New economies and entrepreneurship
- Civic life and governance
- Spirituality, community and meaning
Our goal is to create a network of rooms across different geographies and disciplines, all contributing to a shared qualitative observatory of how humans are navigating the future of work and AI, while promoting freedom in the age of AI.
For attendees, we seek individuals who are deeply curious, willing to listen and be challenged and open to exploring diverse disciplines and experiences, particularly in the context of AI and human flourishing.
For hosts, we look for people who are rooted in a local community, have experience convening or facilitating difficult conversations and resonate with our focus on freedom in the age of AI, as well as the future of work and AI, all while embracing the values of the Salon de Staël Society.
Step into the Salon de Staël circle. Receive updates on new chapters and gatherings, along with field notes and essays on AI, human flourishing and the future of work.
Please reach out to us if you cannot find an answer to your question.
No. Curiosity and honesty matter more than credentials.
We look for people who:
You don’t need to be “caught up” on AI research or political theory to belong in the room.
We love the reach of online spaces, but they’re structurally bad at some things we now need most: sustained attention, trust and non-performative disagreement.
In-person salons allow for:
Online formats may come later as a complement, but the core medium is the room.
We use a version of the Chatham House Rule. In practice it means:
The aim is to create a space where people can speak truthfully, test half-formed thoughts and change their minds without worrying about being quoted, screenshotted, or turned into content.
We are non-partisan, but not apolitical. Questions about AI, automation and the Fourth Industrial Revolution are inherently tied to power, policy and governance. We talk openly about those dimensions, but:
For the initial pilot phase, we’re exploring different models (host-supported, suggested contribution, sponsorship, etc.) and may vary by city and context.
Any contribution structure will be:
Details will always be included in the invitation for a specific salon.
If you’d like to be considered for an upcoming salon, fill out the interest form on our Join the Society / Inquiries page with:
We curate small groups with a mix of disciplines and life experiences. If there’s a good fit for a future gathering, we’ll reach out with an invitation.
We curate with a few intentions in mind:
We also try to build season-long cohorts (people who attend most salons in a season) so trust and shared language can grow over time.
Yes, potentially:
We’re in the early stages of shaping a chapter model. If you’re interested in hosting or eventually leading a chapter, we’d love to hear from you.
Helpful background includes:
When we’re ready for pilot chapters, we’ll begin conversations with those who’ve expressed interest.
Nothing is recorded. No transcripts. No attribution.
Hosts complete a structured debrief after each salon (themes, questions, anonymized quotes, emotional tone, emerging ideas). Those notes go into our internal qualitative observatory.
From time to time, we publish Notebook essays and field notes that synthesize what we’re hearing across rooms and cities but always in a way that respects the Chatham House Rule and protects personal stories.
Salon de Stael Society
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