of the United Kingdom’s capitol city.
Mark Zuckerberg is on the receiving end of internet and senatorial ire following a Wall Street Journal report that outlined how Meta’s AI-powered chatbots have engaged in “sexually explicit conversations” with underage users. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) wrote a letter of condemnation to show just how appalled they were.They wrote:
“This is not merely an innocent oversight; it is a flagrant violation of the trust that parents and families place on your platforms. Despite repeated warnings and apparent internal concerns, Meta has once again prioritized profit over the safety and well-being of children.”
This undoubtedly is not the first, nor the last, case of “bot problems” we as the human race will face. While some instances are largely harmless (and even humorous), others indicate how menacing language learning models (LLMs) and their associated form factors can be when the proper internal procedures and governance are not in place. But neither scenario takes away from the fact that we are increasingly turning to AI tools to support us in many facets of our lives, whether to make a dinner reservation, book a flight, or help us work through a traumatic event. Arguably, our connection to AI has reached an entirely new level, with Harvard Business Review data noting that primary use cases for ChatGPT and similar tools relate to emotional support, therapy and connection. But are we truly surprised by this development? As internet culture analyst, ethnographer, and reporter Katherine Dee has so astutely noted, we have always blurred the lines between animate and inanimate.
From Pygmalion's Galatea to Jung's pots and pans to anime waifus, there is a long lineage of these behaviors. AI confidants. Anime crushes. Imaginary friends. These behaviors follow us through every stage of our lives; every obsession, every hobby, every fandom. We feel deep affection for everything from stuffed animals to cars. During the VISIONS Summit: NYC, Katherine will explore how animism is manifesting in contemporary life, using a powerful combination of myth, psychology, and technology. And most of all, she will explore how these imaginary relationships, whether it be with a digital agent or a brand, feel so incredibly real and important. As noted in an episode of the Future Commerce podcast and reshared by our very own Phillip Jackson:
"Some engagement makes people feel less lonely... Perhaps what appears as manipulation or automation on the surface serves a deeper human need in our increasingly isolated digital world."
Katherine is the author of egirl 001, a full-color magazine that creates a timeline to the rise and evolution of egirls, from early-stage electronic romances to MySpace and Tumblr.
VISIONS Summit: Where Cultural Savants and Boundary-Breaking Leaders Converge
What we know about building brands, and building fandoms, has completely changed. The emergence of new technologies and the maturation of LLMs are completely redefining how we engage with each other, the world, and what we buy.Worldbuilding is no longer confined to large spaces or physical environments but also thrives in abstract, digital spaces. As a result, worldbuilding isn’t solely confined to big brands with big budgets. In this new era of culture and commerce, we are the builders of worlds.
On June 10, we will explore what this new reality means for us all individually and as a collective of creators. Brand strategists, executive leaders, technologists, and more, will gather at the Museum of Modern Art for a day to leave now behind and explore the possibilities of our future .Katherine joins a host of incredible speakers who are building worlds in their own distinct ways.
While Justin Breton and Gianna Valintina will share how they’re creating immersive commerce through Spatial, mindfulness expert Luca Del Deo will reveal how we can create new relationships and realities using our own minds. And of course, renowned musician and popular YouTube creator Andrew Huang will share how he built his own (space world) and activated a mind-bending ripple effect across the web.
Explore the Agenda →
Last Chance for Early Bird Rates!
There are only 200 seats available at the MoMA, and we’re ready to sell out an incredible day filled with mic-drop-worthy moments and thought-provoking conversations. In addition to an incredible day of content, we’ll have unique networking moments, and opportunities to enjoy one of the most beloved cultural institutions in New York City.
If you missed our early bird rate, don't fret! You can use the promo code ITSGONNABEMAY to get more savings. And as a reminder, Future Commerce Plus subscribers will be able to capitalize on an additional 10% discount too. (Sign up here to get these and even more event perks.)
Are you ready to be the VISIONary in your organization? Join the visionaries shaping the future of commerce and culture.
Event Details:
VISIONS Summit: NYC 2025
Date: June 10, 2025
Time: 1 PM to 5:30 PM ET
Location: Roy and Niuta Titus Theater, Museum of Modern Art, NYC
Mark Zuckerberg is on the receiving end of internet and senatorial ire following a Wall Street Journal report that outlined how Meta’s AI-powered chatbots have engaged in “sexually explicit conversations” with underage users. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) wrote a letter of condemnation to show just how appalled they were.They wrote:
“This is not merely an innocent oversight; it is a flagrant violation of the trust that parents and families place on your platforms. Despite repeated warnings and apparent internal concerns, Meta has once again prioritized profit over the safety and well-being of children.”
This undoubtedly is not the first, nor the last, case of “bot problems” we as the human race will face. While some instances are largely harmless (and even humorous), others indicate how menacing language learning models (LLMs) and their associated form factors can be when the proper internal procedures and governance are not in place. But neither scenario takes away from the fact that we are increasingly turning to AI tools to support us in many facets of our lives, whether to make a dinner reservation, book a flight, or help us work through a traumatic event. Arguably, our connection to AI has reached an entirely new level, with Harvard Business Review data noting that primary use cases for ChatGPT and similar tools relate to emotional support, therapy and connection. But are we truly surprised by this development? As internet culture analyst, ethnographer, and reporter Katherine Dee has so astutely noted, we have always blurred the lines between animate and inanimate.
From Pygmalion's Galatea to Jung's pots and pans to anime waifus, there is a long lineage of these behaviors. AI confidants. Anime crushes. Imaginary friends. These behaviors follow us through every stage of our lives; every obsession, every hobby, every fandom. We feel deep affection for everything from stuffed animals to cars. During the VISIONS Summit: NYC, Katherine will explore how animism is manifesting in contemporary life, using a powerful combination of myth, psychology, and technology. And most of all, she will explore how these imaginary relationships, whether it be with a digital agent or a brand, feel so incredibly real and important. As noted in an episode of the Future Commerce podcast and reshared by our very own Phillip Jackson:
"Some engagement makes people feel less lonely... Perhaps what appears as manipulation or automation on the surface serves a deeper human need in our increasingly isolated digital world."
Katherine is the author of egirl 001, a full-color magazine that creates a timeline to the rise and evolution of egirls, from early-stage electronic romances to MySpace and Tumblr.
VISIONS Summit: Where Cultural Savants and Boundary-Breaking Leaders Converge
What we know about building brands, and building fandoms, has completely changed. The emergence of new technologies and the maturation of LLMs are completely redefining how we engage with each other, the world, and what we buy.Worldbuilding is no longer confined to large spaces or physical environments but also thrives in abstract, digital spaces. As a result, worldbuilding isn’t solely confined to big brands with big budgets. In this new era of culture and commerce, we are the builders of worlds.
On June 10, we will explore what this new reality means for us all individually and as a collective of creators. Brand strategists, executive leaders, technologists, and more, will gather at the Museum of Modern Art for a day to leave now behind and explore the possibilities of our future .Katherine joins a host of incredible speakers who are building worlds in their own distinct ways.
While Justin Breton and Gianna Valintina will share how they’re creating immersive commerce through Spatial, mindfulness expert Luca Del Deo will reveal how we can create new relationships and realities using our own minds. And of course, renowned musician and popular YouTube creator Andrew Huang will share how he built his own (space world) and activated a mind-bending ripple effect across the web.
Explore the Agenda →
Last Chance for Early Bird Rates!
There are only 200 seats available at the MoMA, and we’re ready to sell out an incredible day filled with mic-drop-worthy moments and thought-provoking conversations. In addition to an incredible day of content, we’ll have unique networking moments, and opportunities to enjoy one of the most beloved cultural institutions in New York City.
If you missed our early bird rate, don't fret! You can use the promo code ITSGONNABEMAY to get more savings. And as a reminder, Future Commerce Plus subscribers will be able to capitalize on an additional 10% discount too. (Sign up here to get these and even more event perks.)
Are you ready to be the VISIONary in your organization? Join the visionaries shaping the future of commerce and culture.
Event Details:
VISIONS Summit: NYC 2025
Date: June 10, 2025
Time: 1 PM to 5:30 PM ET
Location: Roy and Niuta Titus Theater, Museum of Modern Art, NYC
Mark Zuckerberg is on the receiving end of internet and senatorial ire following a Wall Street Journal report that outlined how Meta’s AI-powered chatbots have engaged in “sexually explicit conversations” with underage users. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) wrote a letter of condemnation to show just how appalled they were.They wrote:
“This is not merely an innocent oversight; it is a flagrant violation of the trust that parents and families place on your platforms. Despite repeated warnings and apparent internal concerns, Meta has once again prioritized profit over the safety and well-being of children.”
This undoubtedly is not the first, nor the last, case of “bot problems” we as the human race will face. While some instances are largely harmless (and even humorous), others indicate how menacing language learning models (LLMs) and their associated form factors can be when the proper internal procedures and governance are not in place. But neither scenario takes away from the fact that we are increasingly turning to AI tools to support us in many facets of our lives, whether to make a dinner reservation, book a flight, or help us work through a traumatic event. Arguably, our connection to AI has reached an entirely new level, with Harvard Business Review data noting that primary use cases for ChatGPT and similar tools relate to emotional support, therapy and connection. But are we truly surprised by this development? As internet culture analyst, ethnographer, and reporter Katherine Dee has so astutely noted, we have always blurred the lines between animate and inanimate.
From Pygmalion's Galatea to Jung's pots and pans to anime waifus, there is a long lineage of these behaviors. AI confidants. Anime crushes. Imaginary friends. These behaviors follow us through every stage of our lives; every obsession, every hobby, every fandom. We feel deep affection for everything from stuffed animals to cars. During the VISIONS Summit: NYC, Katherine will explore how animism is manifesting in contemporary life, using a powerful combination of myth, psychology, and technology. And most of all, she will explore how these imaginary relationships, whether it be with a digital agent or a brand, feel so incredibly real and important. As noted in an episode of the Future Commerce podcast and reshared by our very own Phillip Jackson:
"Some engagement makes people feel less lonely... Perhaps what appears as manipulation or automation on the surface serves a deeper human need in our increasingly isolated digital world."
Katherine is the author of egirl 001, a full-color magazine that creates a timeline to the rise and evolution of egirls, from early-stage electronic romances to MySpace and Tumblr.
VISIONS Summit: Where Cultural Savants and Boundary-Breaking Leaders Converge
What we know about building brands, and building fandoms, has completely changed. The emergence of new technologies and the maturation of LLMs are completely redefining how we engage with each other, the world, and what we buy.Worldbuilding is no longer confined to large spaces or physical environments but also thrives in abstract, digital spaces. As a result, worldbuilding isn’t solely confined to big brands with big budgets. In this new era of culture and commerce, we are the builders of worlds.
On June 10, we will explore what this new reality means for us all individually and as a collective of creators. Brand strategists, executive leaders, technologists, and more, will gather at the Museum of Modern Art for a day to leave now behind and explore the possibilities of our future .Katherine joins a host of incredible speakers who are building worlds in their own distinct ways.
While Justin Breton and Gianna Valintina will share how they’re creating immersive commerce through Spatial, mindfulness expert Luca Del Deo will reveal how we can create new relationships and realities using our own minds. And of course, renowned musician and popular YouTube creator Andrew Huang will share how he built his own (space world) and activated a mind-bending ripple effect across the web.
Explore the Agenda →
Last Chance for Early Bird Rates!
There are only 200 seats available at the MoMA, and we’re ready to sell out an incredible day filled with mic-drop-worthy moments and thought-provoking conversations. In addition to an incredible day of content, we’ll have unique networking moments, and opportunities to enjoy one of the most beloved cultural institutions in New York City.
If you missed our early bird rate, don't fret! You can use the promo code ITSGONNABEMAY to get more savings. And as a reminder, Future Commerce Plus subscribers will be able to capitalize on an additional 10% discount too. (Sign up here to get these and even more event perks.)
Are you ready to be the VISIONary in your organization? Join the visionaries shaping the future of commerce and culture.
Event Details:
VISIONS Summit: NYC 2025
Date: June 10, 2025
Time: 1 PM to 5:30 PM ET
Location: Roy and Niuta Titus Theater, Museum of Modern Art, NYC
Mark Zuckerberg is on the receiving end of internet and senatorial ire following a Wall Street Journal report that outlined how Meta’s AI-powered chatbots have engaged in “sexually explicit conversations” with underage users. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) wrote a letter of condemnation to show just how appalled they were.They wrote:
“This is not merely an innocent oversight; it is a flagrant violation of the trust that parents and families place on your platforms. Despite repeated warnings and apparent internal concerns, Meta has once again prioritized profit over the safety and well-being of children.”
This undoubtedly is not the first, nor the last, case of “bot problems” we as the human race will face. While some instances are largely harmless (and even humorous), others indicate how menacing language learning models (LLMs) and their associated form factors can be when the proper internal procedures and governance are not in place. But neither scenario takes away from the fact that we are increasingly turning to AI tools to support us in many facets of our lives, whether to make a dinner reservation, book a flight, or help us work through a traumatic event. Arguably, our connection to AI has reached an entirely new level, with Harvard Business Review data noting that primary use cases for ChatGPT and similar tools relate to emotional support, therapy and connection. But are we truly surprised by this development? As internet culture analyst, ethnographer, and reporter Katherine Dee has so astutely noted, we have always blurred the lines between animate and inanimate.
From Pygmalion's Galatea to Jung's pots and pans to anime waifus, there is a long lineage of these behaviors. AI confidants. Anime crushes. Imaginary friends. These behaviors follow us through every stage of our lives; every obsession, every hobby, every fandom. We feel deep affection for everything from stuffed animals to cars. During the VISIONS Summit: NYC, Katherine will explore how animism is manifesting in contemporary life, using a powerful combination of myth, psychology, and technology. And most of all, she will explore how these imaginary relationships, whether it be with a digital agent or a brand, feel so incredibly real and important. As noted in an episode of the Future Commerce podcast and reshared by our very own Phillip Jackson:
"Some engagement makes people feel less lonely... Perhaps what appears as manipulation or automation on the surface serves a deeper human need in our increasingly isolated digital world."
Katherine is the author of egirl 001, a full-color magazine that creates a timeline to the rise and evolution of egirls, from early-stage electronic romances to MySpace and Tumblr.
VISIONS Summit: Where Cultural Savants and Boundary-Breaking Leaders Converge
What we know about building brands, and building fandoms, has completely changed. The emergence of new technologies and the maturation of LLMs are completely redefining how we engage with each other, the world, and what we buy.Worldbuilding is no longer confined to large spaces or physical environments but also thrives in abstract, digital spaces. As a result, worldbuilding isn’t solely confined to big brands with big budgets. In this new era of culture and commerce, we are the builders of worlds.
On June 10, we will explore what this new reality means for us all individually and as a collective of creators. Brand strategists, executive leaders, technologists, and more, will gather at the Museum of Modern Art for a day to leave now behind and explore the possibilities of our future .Katherine joins a host of incredible speakers who are building worlds in their own distinct ways.
While Justin Breton and Gianna Valintina will share how they’re creating immersive commerce through Spatial, mindfulness expert Luca Del Deo will reveal how we can create new relationships and realities using our own minds. And of course, renowned musician and popular YouTube creator Andrew Huang will share how he built his own (space world) and activated a mind-bending ripple effect across the web.
Explore the Agenda →
Last Chance for Early Bird Rates!
There are only 200 seats available at the MoMA, and we’re ready to sell out an incredible day filled with mic-drop-worthy moments and thought-provoking conversations. In addition to an incredible day of content, we’ll have unique networking moments, and opportunities to enjoy one of the most beloved cultural institutions in New York City.
If you missed our early bird rate, don't fret! You can use the promo code ITSGONNABEMAY to get more savings. And as a reminder, Future Commerce Plus subscribers will be able to capitalize on an additional 10% discount too. (Sign up here to get these and even more event perks.)
Are you ready to be the VISIONary in your organization? Join the visionaries shaping the future of commerce and culture.
Event Details:
VISIONS Summit: NYC 2025
Date: June 10, 2025
Time: 1 PM to 5:30 PM ET
Location: Roy and Niuta Titus Theater, Museum of Modern Art, NYC
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