Dennis Yi Tenen

Dennis Yi Tenen, an Associate Professor at Columbia University and co-director of the Center for Comparative Media, dives into the intriguing relationship between AI and language. He highlights the historical evolution of AI as a collective endeavor, advocating for interdisciplinary collaboration. Tenen emphasizes the importance of long-form thinking in an age of short content and examines how cultural heritage shapes AI technology. Their discussion also touches on the emotional nuances of technology and its potential for enhancing creativity and social understanding.

Dennis Yi Tenen, Associate Professor of English and Comparative Literature, discusses the hidden history of modern machine intelligence influenced by medieval poetry and Russian folktales. They explore similarities in folk tales across cultures and the impact of high-definition televisions on perception. They challenge the misconception of technology as independent, discuss limitations of language models, and emphasize the importance of historical context in understanding technology. They also reflect on nostalgia in music and desire to produce Jesus Christ Superstar in Moldovan.