Artificial Intimacy: Who Do We Become When We Talk to Machines?
MIT Alumni Association
MIT Alumni Association
MIT Sloan Club of Northern California
Thursday, May 1, 5:00pm - 8:00pm (America/Los_Angeles)
Event Details
Joint School Alumni Spring Happy Hour
Come join us, the partnered alumni groups at San Francisco Bay Area, to celebrate the Spring time together!
Event Details
Let's reconnect and celebrate the spring together! The partnered groups of top U.S. University's alumni groups jointly host the happy hour for alumni to network and cheer for the beautiful weather of the Bay Area!
*Cash Bar: each participant pays for the drinks and food they order.*
Cost: No Charge to attend
Where
Blackbird Bar
2124 Market Street
San Francisco, California
Jointly-hosting schools (alphabetical order):
Berkeley Haas Silicon Valley Chapter
Chicago Booth: Bay Area Alumni Community
Columbia Club of Northern California
MIT Club of Northern California
Kellogg Alumni Club of San Francisco and Silicon Valley
Northwestern Club of San Francisco
NYU Alumni Club in the Bay Area
University of Chicago Alumni Club of the Bay Area
Wharton Club of Northern California
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MIT Sloan Club of Northern California
Saturday, May 3, 6:30am - Sunday, May 4, 9:30pm (America/Los_Angeles)
Event Details
Yosemite Trip - Peak to Peak Challenge
Embark on an unforgettable weekend adventure, hiking the stunning waterfalls of Yosemite Valley! Immerse yourself in one of nature’s greatest masterpieces—Yosemite National Park—where towering waterfalls, ancient sequoias, and iconic cliffs like Half Dome and El Capitan await. In May, the park comes alive with vibrant wildflowers, rushing waterfalls, and lush greenery. It’s the perfect time to experience Yosemite in all its glory. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be captivated by the breathtaking beauty that surrounds you at every step!
We'll depart from the Bay Area early Saturday morning, May 3rd, for a scenic 4-hour drive to the park. Upon arrival, we'll hike the beautiful Vernal and Nevada Falls in the afternoon, then settle in for the night at Curry Village in cozy canvas tent cabins. On Sunday, May 4th, we'll tackle the Upper Yosemite Falls trail before heading back to the Bay Area in the evening.
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🚌 Transportation
Yosemite National Park is approximately 190 miles (about 4 hours) from the Bay Area. Participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation. To help facilitate carpooling, we’ll connect interested participants through WhatsApp or email. We highly encourage coordinating rides to make the journey more fun and eco-friendly.
🪪 Yosemite Entrance Fee: $35 per private vehicle. 🔗 View Yosemite Fees & Passes
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🥾 Hikes Overview
Day 1: Vernal & Nevada Falls
💪 Difficulty: Hard
📏 Distance: 6.4 miles
📈 Elevation Gain: 2,200 ft
⏱️ Duration: ~4 hours
🌊 Highlights: Mist Trail, footbridge views, waterfalls up close
Day 2: Upper Yosemite Fall
💪 Difficulty: Hard
📏 Distance: 6.6 miles
📈 Elevation Gain: 3,254 ft
⏱️ Duration: ~5.5 hours
🏞️ Highlights: Panoramic valley views, top of Yosemite’s tallest waterfall
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🍽️ Food & Beverages
All participants are responsible for covering the cost of their own food and drinks during the trip. Refer to the Detailed Itinerary below for planned dining locations and menus along the way.
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🏕️ Accommodation
We’ve reserved 19 unheated canvas tent cabins at Curry Village, a scenic spot right in the heart of the Yosemite Valley — near the base of Half Dome. While the lodging offers a campground vibe, Curry Village also provides: Public shower houses, Restrooms, Several on-site dining options
📍 More details about Curry Village. 🖼️ Take a VR tour of the tent cabins
Tent Assignment Breakdown (price included in ticket): 10 tents (Double Occupancy, $120 per person), 6 tents (Triple Occupancy, $80 per person), 3 tents (Quad Occupancy, $65 per person)
During registration, please list the names of those you'd like to share a tent with. Solo travelers? No worries — we’ll help match you with others and handle the coordination.
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🗓️ Detailed Itinerary
Saturday, May 3, 2025
6:00–10:30 AM – Drive from Bay Area to Yosemite (191 mi, ~4 hrs). ☕ Grab breakfast en route.
11:00–12:00 PM – Lunch Packaged Sandwiches, or (if time permits) @ Taqueria at Meadow Grill 🌮
12:30–5:00 PM – Hike Vernal & Nevada Falls (6.4 mi, 2,200 ft gain) 🥾
5:30–7:00 PM – Dinner @ Stevens Tent 🍽️
7:30–8:00 PM – Check-in @ Curry Village Canvas Tents (unheated) ⛺
9:00 PM – Drinks @ 1899 Bar 🍻
Sunday, May 4, 2025
8:00–9:00 AM – Breakfast TBD + pack lunch 🥪
9:00–10:00 AM – Check out of Curry Village 🧳
10:00–4:00 PM – Hike Upper Yosemite Fall (6.6 mi, 3,254 ft gain) 🏞️
4:30–6:00 PM – Scenic stops (if time permits): El Capitan, Tunnel View 📸
6:00–10:30 PM – Drive back to Bay Area (~4 hrs). 🍔 Dinner on the road
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🎒 What to Bring
Here’s an initial checklist of must-haves to help you stay comfortable and prepared:
🔦 Flashlight or headlamp (with extra batteries)
🛏️ Sleeping bag (Linen and light blanket provided, but a sleeping bag is still essential)
🧥 Layers: Warm jacket, rain jacket (needed for mist trail even on a clear day)
💧 Refillable water bottle (1L minimum)
👟 Hiking gear: Shoes with ankle support, hiking poles, sunhat, sunglasses
🧳 Duffle bag for 2 days + a daypack for hikes
🩴 Shower shoes (for public facilities)
😴 Earplugs (Quiet hours: 10 PM – 6 AM)
🧺 Sealable plastic containers to store food, snacks, and scented toiletries in bear-proof lockers
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🎒 Other Notes
Fitness: Both hikes of this trip are classified as hard and require participants to be in good physical condition. Please reach out to us if you want to go on the trip, but may not be interested in / doubtful about completing the hikes.
Travelling with Children: A limited number of tickets are available for children (6-10 years) and infants/toddlers (under 6 years). The two planned hikes are hard and may not be suitable for the small children. We will share recommendations for other activities suitable for children - the Yosemite Valley has plenty to offer for people of all ages.
Safety: Please visit Yosemite Safety page to familiarize with various hiking safety, environmental hazards, and wild animals.
Cellphone: Cellular network is only available in very few spots in and around Yosemite National Park. Ensure to download google maps ahead of time to navigate inside the park.
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About Peak to Peak Challenge
Embark on an exhilarating adventure with the Peak to Peak Challenge! Calling all thrill-seekers and nature enthusiasts to join us on a journey through the breathtaking Bay Area landscape. Gather your friends and immerse yourselves in the beauty of the great outdoors as you conquer five awe-inspiring peaks together. Whether you're an avid hiker or just looking for a unique way to connect with friends, this challenge promises unforgettable vistas and shared triumphs. Revel in the camaraderie, challenge your limits, and create lasting memories as you scale the heights of nature's grandeur. Don't miss out on the opportunity to forge stronger bonds while exploring the stunning peaks of the Bay Area. Lace up your boots, embrace the adventure, and join us for the Peak to Peak Challenge!
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Learn MoreMIT Sloan Club of Northern California
Thursday, May 15, 5:00pm - 8:00pm (America/Los_Angeles)
Event Details
Join us and other Sloanies in SF at the popular Spark Social SF for happy hour on Thursday, May 15 from 5-8pm PT!
We will cover light apps. Excited to see everyone in good weather conditions!
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Learn MoreMIT Sloan Club of Northern California
Sunday, May 18, 1:30pm - 3:30pm (America/Los_Angeles)
Event Details
Explore the World of Textured Art and bring home your masterpiece!
Are you curious about textured art? Unleash your creativity and join us for an inspiring workshop where you’ll create your own unique masterpiece!
Includes:
- A canvas to bring your vision to life
- High-quality texture paste for dynamic effects
- All necessary painting tools
- Refreshing drinks to keep you energized
- A selection of light snacks to enjoy
Don’t miss this opportunity to experiment with textures and express yourself artistically in a fun and supportive environment!
Registration:
- Fee: $30 per participant, Limit 8
About your Event Leader:
Janice Lam (MBA' 23)
I'm thrilled to be your host for this exciting themed party series. With a passion for creativity and a love for hosting seasonal events, I'm here to ensure we have fun while being creative. Join me to make each season a special celebration of our Sloan community!
About the Themed Parties:
Join us at our Seasonal Themed Party Series, where every season brings a new reason to connect, create, and celebrate! Immerse yourself in vibrant themes, hands-on DIY projects, and delicious seasonal treats that will inspire your creativity and warm your heart.
Let's make each season a special celebration of our Sloan community! Whether you're a crafty enthusiast or just love a good party, these gatherings are the perfect opportunity to reconnect with fellow Sloanies, make new friends, and create unforgettable memories. Come together to design stunning decorations and share laughter-filled moments.
October 20 - Spooktacular Halloween Party with Pumpkin Carving
November 3 - Fall Party with Pumpkin Pie & Leafy Creations
December 8 - Christmas Party with Wreath Making
January 12 - Lunar New Year Party with Dumpling Making
February 9 - Love in Bloom: Valentine's Day Party with Flower Arrangement
May 18 - Spring into Textured Art
Learn MoreClub of France
Tuesday, May 20, 7:00pm - 9:30pm (Europe/Paris)
Event Details
Dear Alumni,
We are very honored to welcome MIT Prof Moungi Bawendi 2023 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry in Paris https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moungi_Bawendi
Quantum dots, one of the first engineered nanomaterials, have become ubiquitous in displays and other applications. Professor Bawendi's talk will discuss their origin story, their development, and their applications. This is a story of curiosity-based science driving innovation and technological progress.
Moungi Bawendi is the Lester Wolfe Professor of Chemistry at MIT. His lab focuses on the science and applications of nanocrystals, especially semiconductor nanocrystal (aka quantum dots). Born in Paris, Bawendi emigrated to the United States as a child, and earned his bachelor's and master's Degrees from Harvard University. He went on to achieve a PhD in chemistry from the University of Chicago. After conducting postdoctoral research at Bell Labs, he joined the MIT Chemistry faculty in 1990. In 2023, Bawendi was named a co-recipient of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry "for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots".
We will have a sitting dinner with a composition of 3 themes to go along with the service - Each theme will have a presentation by the professor to be followed by questions from the assembly
1) Apetizer - the Early life and education
2) Entries - the Researcher life and The Quantum dots
3) Dessert: the Nobel Prize, MIT and the path forward
Frédéric Hannoyer and the MIT CdF Board
Bio:
Professor Moungi Bawendi, born in Paris, France, in 1961, is a distinguished chemist recognized for his groundbreaking work on quantum dots. After spending his early years in France and Tunisia, he moved to the United States, where he pursued higher education. He obtained his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Chicago in 1988 and later conducted postdoctoral research at Bell Labs.
In 1990, Bawendi joined the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he became a professor in 1996. His most notable scientific contribution is the hot-injection synthesis of quantum dots, a breakthrough that enabled precise control over their size and properties, leading to wide-ranging applications in electronics, photovoltaics, and biomedical imaging.
For his pioneering work, Bawendi was awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, alongside Louis E. Brus and Alexey Ekimov, for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots. These nanomaterials are now essential in high-definition displays, energy-efficient lighting, medical diagnostics, and solar energy technology, revolutionizing modern technology and holding great potential for future innovations in medicine, renewable energy, and quantum computing,
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MIT Chinese Alumni Group
Wednesday, May 21, 7:00pm - 8:00pm (America/New_York)
Event Details
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Learn MoreMIT Sloan Club of Northern California
Wednesday, May 21, 5:30pm - 8:00pm (America/Los_Angeles)
Event Details
Trust is the currency of leadership - without it, teams flounder and visions stall. Join us for an interactive and intimate workshop with leadership development expert Jason McClain of Evolutionary Companies, designed to deepen your understanding of how trust is built, lost, and regained in leadership.
Drawing from his decades of experience coaching executives and entrepreneurs, Jason will lead participants through a dynamic and experiential session exploring the three pillars of evolved leadership
Through guided exercises and real-time reflections, you'll walk away with practical tools and personalized insights on how to strengthen your leadership presence and earn the trust of those you lead.
Who Should Attend:
Key Takeaways:
Contact
Learn MoreClub of France
Thursday, May 22, 7:30pm - 7:30pm (Europe/Paris)
Event Details
Dear Alumni,
Invitation to the HumAIn Salon: Exploring AI, People, and the Future of Work
We are pleased to invite you the 4th edition of our NEW AI event : the HumAIn Salon. This is a recurring series of human-size in-person events dedicated to exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence, human factors, including the future of work. This intimate gathering (~30p max) will occur every one to two months, bringing together a small group of participants for in-depth discussions on these critical topics.
Theme: “HumAIn Intelligence: AI, People, and the Future of Work”
Format: Serial meetups featuring a blend of expert presentations and interactive exchanges
Salon Host : Léa Peersman, MIT Sloan graduate, researcher, founder of HI Lab,
Guest Speakers: Every session will feature a guest speaker from the fields of AI research, cognitive sciences, sociology, and startups, sparking the discussions and guiding our exploration.
This is a conference where we expect you to participate and share your vision! The HumAIn Salon is a collaborative forum where every voice matters, and your insights are critical to shaping our understanding of the intersection between AI and human experiences.
Join us for an engaging discussion and dinner
We look forward to welcoming you to this enriching and thought-provoking series.
Specific Mar 25th Event Details:
Date: 25 March 2025
Time: 19:30 – 22:30
Venue: Restaurant Vauban, facing Les Invalides, 7th arrondissement, Paris
Guest Speakers:
This session will explore the core question:
“Rethinking Resilience: Fostering Ingenuity in a World of Crises and AI”
In a world facing crises on every level—wars in Europe, climate change — are we, as a Nation, truly prepared to become resilient? Is our generation ready to invent in a world without abundance? To create using only what is available?
In the era of Artificial Intelligence, what is the defining value of humanity? Is it not creativity, the ability to invent, to be ingenious, to think outside the box? We think through our bodies, our space, our emotions. Our perception is the key to our ability to evolve by acting upon the world—it forces us to confront reality and, therefore, compels us to invent.
I deeply believe that, given the current context, we must rethink our societies — from a model of hyper-specialization of skills to a world of well-rounded individuals. This shift has already begun through the widespread adoption of soft skills training for better collective living. Today, it is time to train our future generations of engineers to become modern-day MacGyvers.
Over an informal dinner, Clement and Lea will share their vision and let us exchange and share.
Registration: To attend, you only pay for your dinner (3 course-meal) - please register on the MIT website. Limited Seating the dinner is at 55€ and you pay forward to reserve your seat - We'll refund you if you cannot attend and tell us upfront.
We look forward to your participation in this important discussion.
Best regards,
Lea Peersman and Frédéric Hannoyer
MIT CdF Board member & MIT CdF President
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MIT Sloan Club of Northern California
Thursday, May 22, 5:30pm - 8:00pm (America/Los_Angeles)
Event Details
After the conversation with Dr Conti, you will have the opportunity to expand your professional network, connecting with fellow alumni from other leading business school associations (Bocconi, MIT Sloan, NYU Stern, IMD, ESADE).
An award-winning negotiation and influencing Professor & Lecturer at leading Business Schools throughout Europe (Cambridge, ESADE, HEC Lausanne, HEC Paris, IESE, IMD, Imperial College, INSEAD, London Business School, Oxford, RSM, SDA Bocconi, UBIS, University of Geneva and University of St Gallen) and a former Procurement leader known for making a tremendous difference to the bottom-line, Dr Conti is recognized for his pragmatic and interactive training workshops.
20+ years of Strategic Procurement experience, leading Global/Regional teams with Procter & Gamble, Novartis, Firmenich and Merck, Dr Conti led Advanced Negotiation training to leading corporations in four continents (10,000+ individuals from over 90 different countries attended Giuseppe’s workshops) , of which many are corporate leaders from multinational corporations.
AGENDA:
Registration 5.30 - 6:00 pm
Speech 6:00 - 6:30 pm
Q&A 6:30 - 6:45 pm
Networking 6:45 - 8.00pm
Reference: https://lu.ma/i5a822n2?locale=it
Club of France
Thursday, June 12, 6:30pm - 10:00pm (Europe/Paris)
Event Details
Dear Friends,
You are cordially invited to join us for the American University Clubs of France's Annual Embassy Reception and Summer Cocktail on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at the historic Hôtel Talleyrand. Your presence will contribute to the success and festivity of this AUC signature event.
Location: Hôtel Talleyrand, 2 Rue Saint-Florentin, 75001 Paris
Time: The entrance will be only be between 18:30 to 19:30. Our cocktail with Champagne and aperitif will begin at 19:00 and will end at 22:00. There will be a welcome speech at 19:00.
Security Information: Please remember to bring a valid picture ID with you (Passport or Carte d'Identité only). Your ID is mandatory to enter the reception and admission is by guest list only. All attendees must be on the guest list. For security reasons, the entrance will only be between 18:30 to 19:30. Please do not bring laptop computers.
Registration ends Monday June 2nd at midnight, or when tickets sell out. https://www.helloasso.com/associations/auc-france/evenements/auc-annual-embassy-reception-and-summer-cocktail-2025
Please note that the Hôtel de Talleyrand is a spectacular example of a late 18th-century Parisian mansion. We thank you in advance to take great care of its environment, floors, walls, and furniture.
We are looking forward to seeing you soon!
The AUC Board with the support of the Embassy of the United States of America in France
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Please note that ticket sales are final and no refunds are possible. Thank you for your understanding.
By registering for this event, you consent to the AUC sharing your details with the AUC Member Presidents of Alumni Clubs for the sole purpose of coordinating and contacting you in relation to this event.
By registering for this event you agree to be filmed or photographed with materials that may be used by the AUC on social media and in the promotion of its activities.