CLAY × CompCog Book Club
AI, language technology, and the bigger social / ethical / political questions

I’m Lena (postdoc with CLAY), and I’d love to start a monthly CLAY × CompCog book club / reading group focused on AI + language technology and the broader social/ethical/political questions around it.

Next meetup

Kickoff meeting

  • Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026
  • Time: 1:30–2:45pm (tentative)
  • Location: Room TBD (Yale campus)

Based on the replies so far, a lunch / early-afternoon slot seems to work for the most people.

If this time doesn’t work for you, email me — I’m trying to pick a slot that fits as many people as possible.

Next book

Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman’s OpenAI
Karen Hao

Read what you can (even if it’s just a few chapters). We’ll make the discussion welcoming at any prep level.

Cover placeholder for Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman’s OpenAI

What this is

  • Monthly, discussion-based
  • 60–75 minutes per meeting
  • Discussion-based (not a lecture). Low-pressure: come even if you only skimmed or are just curious.
  • Snacks are encouraged.

Want to join?

Email me to get on the list, suggest future reads, or tell me what time windows usually work for you.
Email: lena.strobl@yale.edu

How we’ll run meetings

  • Quick round of what you found interesting / confusing / worth debating.
  • Discussion (bring passages, questions, or just curiosity).
  • End with: next book suggestions + scheduling the next meetup.

Kickoff announcement

Hi everyone,

I’m Lena (postdoc with CLAY), and I’d love to start a monthly CLAY × CompCog book club / reading group focused on AI + language technology and the broader social/ethical/political questions around it.

Kickoff meeting: Thursday, March 12, 2026 (time + room TBD based on preferences and interest)

Format: 60–75 minutes, once per month, discussion-based (not a lecture). Low-pressure: come even if you only skimmed or are interested in the topic.

Proposed first read: Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman’s OpenAI (Karen Hao).

If you’d like to join, please email me with:

  • whether you’d like to participate
  • your preferred time window (e.g., lunch vs late afternoon)

Also very welcome: suggestions for future reads.

Looking forward to reading together!

Warmly,

Lena

Future reads

Suggestions for future reads are very welcome — send them my way!

Past meetups

This will start after our first meeting.