Cambridge, Mass., is widely known as a center for post-secondary education and a key hub for high-tech and biotech economies. However, many residents of our community know very little about the cutting-edge research that is being done in these institutions. With Horizons, we aim to bring this research, and the pressing social and ethical questions that it raises, to the rest of our community.

Horizons is modeled on TED talks, but with greater emphasis on audience participation, questions and fostering digital citizenship. Some Horizons talks have a hands-on element, as when presenters from a local biotech startup let participants interact with their DNA discovery systems. We are still experimenting with what formats work best. Through this series, we want to raise awareness of AI and its societal implications.

Since Horizons began in November 2018, we have held five talks, four of them recorded and livestreamed by our local community television station. Subjects ranged from artificial intelligence, to nuclear proliferation, to free speech on the internet, to DNA testing and genomics. We are in the process of scheduling speakers for the fall. As the Horizons brand grows, we aim to attract even larger audiences, more high-profile speakers and reach an even greater percentage of our community.