Inside The Agora LA

AI Q&A

In this live Q&A, Don Patterson (AI expert & CTO) and Julie Frumin, LMFT, respond to audience questions on topics ranging from digital boundaries in friendships to AI accountability in corporations and copyright concerns in the age of machine learning. 🎤 Topics include: – How to set respectful phone boundaries in social settings – The role of regulation in holding AI accountable – Copyright ethics in generative AI tools – Building cultural expectations for digital responsibility This Q&A followed their keynote talks at The Agora LA forum, “AI & What Makes Us Human.”

How Do We Stay Mentally Well in the Age of Technology? | LMFT Julie Frumin

In this powerful and practical talk, licensed marriage and family therapist Julie Frumin, LMFT shares insights from years of clinical experience and personal reflection. Drawing from her work with teens, parents, and professionals, Julie explores the growing mental health crisis tied to smartphone and social media use—and offers hopeful, research-backed strategies for restoring connection, presence, and purpose in a distracted world. From the emotional impact of screen time to the erosion of attention, intimacy, and self-worth, Julie invites us to rethink our relationship with technology and reconnect with what truly matters. Whether you’re a parent, a professional, or simply feeling digitally exhausted, this talk is an essential guide to sustaining mental well-being in a hyper-connected age. Recorded live at The Agora LA.

A.I. - What Makes Us Human | Dr Donald J Patterson

Dr. Don Patterson—computer scientist, professor, and entrepreneur—dives into some of the biggest questions we’re facing in the age of artificial intelligence. What does it really mean to be human when machines are starting to do things we used to think only we could do? Through examples about wildfire insurance, housing algorithms, robot therapists, and even ChatGPT-generated emails, Don explores how AI is starting to blur the lines between human judgment and machine decision-making. He asks tough but important questions: Who’s actually responsible when a machine makes a mistake? Are we slowly giving away the things that make life meaningful—like our agency, our mortality, our relationships?This talk is a must-watch for anyone concerned about the future of human dignity in an age of automation. Recorded live at The Agora LA: “Artificial Intelligence – A Discussion on What Makes Us Human”

Are We Repeating History? Philosopher Chris Hoeckley Responds

Can it happen again? Dr. Christian Hoeckley breaks down the philosophical roots of Nazi Germany’s rise—and why mass acquiescence is the greatest danger we still face. A must-watch for anyone concerned about truth, justice, and democracy.

A Living Piece of History Joins The Agora LA: Holocaust Survivor Dr. Erica Miller

At 91, Dr. Erica Miller shares her powerful journey—from surviving a Nazi holding camp at age 7 to jumping out of planes in her 80s and earning a PhD in her 50s. In this unscripted, inspiring talk, she reflects on trauma, resilience, faith, and defying every limit placed on her.This isn’t just a survival story—it’s a masterclass in living fully.