Reservations are still being accepted for annual Pauline and Philip M. Piaker Memorial lecture on Sunday, September 10. The program will begin at 10 am with a bagel brunch buffet followed by a lecture on “The Jewish Origins of A.I. and a Future Vision of Technology in the Service of the Human” given by Rabbi Asher Crispe. There is no charge for the brunch or lecture, but reservations must be made on their website or by calling Chabad at 607-797-0015.

Crispe is a technology futurist who consults for a number of companies and organizations, including BECO Management, Lifewrite, Campaign for Vermont, and Merciv Studio. His consulting focuses on advances in A.I., robotics, biotech, agtech, neuroscience, organizational psychology, materials science and complex systems. He also does early-stage venture placements for family offices. Additionally, Crispe lectures widely in Jewish centers and academic institutions around the world on chasidut and kabbalistic philosophy and their relationship to the arts and sciences. He completed a B.A. in comparative religion and English at the University of Vermont and studied for a Ph.D. in religious philosophy from New York University. He lives with his family in Danby, VT, where they run experiential Jewish retreats and programming.