This June, The Lyceum Project returns to the Athens Conservatoire, next to Aristotle’s Lyceum, a historic and emblematic site for philosophy. In its third edition, it brings together philosophy, science, technology, the arts, spirituality, and society to explore the interplay between three forms of intelligence: the Animate Intelligence inherent in nature and the living world, the Ancestral Intelligence embodied in wisdom passed down through generations, and Artificial Intelligence.
This year’s edition addresses the key question: How might Artificial Intelligence entangle with Ancestral and Animate Intelligence to assist in the creation of a life-affirming civilisation?
Two days dedicated to the three forms of intelligence and the connections between them. The interdisciplinary programme brings together people from around the world and from diverse fields of knowledge in a creative dialogue centered on the major challenges of our time and our shared future. From sociology and biology to the wisdom of Brazil’s Indigenous communities, and from the philosophical traditions of different cultures to machine learning, this year’s The Lyceum Project invites us to reexamine the relationship between nature, humanity, and technology.
The discussions will be held in three distinct thematic parts. Each part is dedicated to a different form of intelligence, while a common narrative thread will connect all discussions.
The event will be held in English, with simultaneous interpretation into Greek.
Animate Intelligence | Friday 19/6 | 17:15-21:00
On the afternoon of Friday 19/6, the focus turns to the intelligence of life itself — the most complex, mysterious, and still largely unexplored form of intelligence. From the intricate networks of the human brain and the processes of animals and plants, to the symbiosis of ecosystems and the understanding of our planet as a living organism, Animate Intelligence reveals the innate wisdom that underpins every living being. This first section explores the wisdom of nature and invites us to support our fragile planet.
The programme includes, among others, the following talks and discussions: “Entangled Intelligences”, “The Wisdom of Ecosystems”, “Nature’s Manuscripts: Translating Animate Intelligence into Technology”, “AI for Nature: From Innovation to Action”, “Nature Knows: Decoding Earth’s Intelligence to Design the Future” and “Rethinking Intelligence: Beyond the Brain”.
Speakers:
Prof. Paco Calvo (University of Murcia), Prof. Ruth Defries (Columbia University), Mr Adam Elman (Google), Prof. Niki Evelpidou (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens), Dr Vangelis Karkaletsis (NCSR – “Demokritos”), Prof. Μorten L. Kringelbach (Aarhus University), Prof. Αrmand Marie Leroi (Imperial College London), Prof. Υadvinder Malhi (University of Oxford), Mr Niki Mardas (Global Canopy), Dr Emmanuel Stratakis (FORTH).
Ancestral Intelligence | Saturday 20/6 | 9:45 – 13:30
From Aristotle’s Lyceum and the meaning of noēsis to other great traditions around the world, on Saturday morning we reconnect with ancient wisdom, spirituality, and philosophy. Ancestral Intelligence invites us to reflect on how different cultures, including indigenous and animist ones, have understood what it means to live well and in harmony with nature. This part explores the ethical and spiritual roots that can guide us toward balance and meaning in an era marked by turbulence.
The scheduled talks and discussions include: “AI and a Good Life: What We Can Learn from Aristotle”, “Nature does nothing in vain”, “Climate and environmental changes: the ancient wisdom”, “Will the universal application of algorithms diminish or displace faith or even God?” and “For What We Have in Common”.
Speakers:
Fr John Chryssavgis (Ecumenical Patriarchate), Prof. Anca Dan (Ecole Normale Supérieure), Prof. Νiki Evelpidou (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens), Dr Stefanos Gandolfo (Athens Columbia Global Center), Prof. Laymert Garcia dos Santos, Prof. Angie Hobbs FRSA (University of Sheffield), Dr Sergio Imparato (Harvard University), Mr Ailton Krenak, Ms Wakanyi Macharia-Hoffman (Utrecht University), Prof. Evangelos Protopapadakis (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens), Prof. Spyridon Rangos (University of Patras), Assoc. Prof. Stasinos Stavrianeas (Hellenic Open University), Dr Dimitrios Vasiliadis (Hellenic-Indian Society for Culture & Development).
Artificial Intelligence | Saturday 20/6 | 17:30 – 21:15
The two-day event concludes by exploring the horizons opened by Artificial Intelligence, as well as our profound responsibilities in its design and use. We will examine the ways in which Artificial Intelligence can incorporate Ancestral Intelligence in order to address social and ecological challenges. We will also consider how it can integrate recent scientific insights about the planet and how it can contribute to a sustainable future.
Finally, we will reflect on how the interconnected relationship between the three forms of intelligence guide us to redefine our coexistence with nature and our relationship with technology, and how to adopt a worldview that places at its centre not only the human being but also the planet.
The part features, among others, the following talks and discussions: “Between the Ancestral and the Artificial: AI Ethics and Soft Infrastructures”, “AI for/from all the people”, “AI for/from the planet” and “On Entangled Intelligence”.
Speakers:
Dr Ali-Reza Bhojani (University of Birmingham), Dr Katie Evans (IEE SA), Ms Radia Funna (Build in Blaze), Prof. Εdward Harcourt MBE (University of Oxford), Mr Uday Khemka (N.J. Khemka Foundation), Mr Jeremy Lent (Ecocivilization Coalition), Ms Wakanyi Macharia-Hoffman (Utrecht University), Dr Stelios Karozis (NCSR – “Demokritos”), Mr Yannis Mastrogeorgiou (Special Secretariat of Foresight), Dr Nicolas Prevelakis (Harvard University), Prof. Benjamin Rosman (University of the Witwatersrand).
Υοung Scholars’ Session | Saturday 20/6 | 14:45 – 17:00 | Hosted by Dr Giannis Perperidis
At this year’s Young Scholars’ Session, in affiliation with the Center for Hellenic Studies in Greece, Harvard University, the four selected presenters will explore the interconnected and co-evolving relationship between three forms of intelligence, through multidisciplinary perspectives.
Evening Feast
This year’s event will conclude with an evening experience at Aristotle’s Lyceum and the Paradise Garden of the Byzantine Museum. Inspired by the topics discussed during the day, audience and speakers will be part of a vibrant close to an intellectually stimulating day. A feast that will be guided by acclaimed musicians Nikos Xanthoulis and Sokratis Sinopoulos, energised by students of the Athens Conservatoire and the Music School of Athens.
Information
🗓️ Friday June 19, 2026, 17.00-21.00 & Saturday June 20, 10.30 – 21.00
📍 Athens Conservatoire (Rigillis St. & Vasileos Georgiou B’ 17-19, 10675 Athens )
Admission is free. Registration is required for both days via the following link: www.eventora.com/en/Events/the-lyceum-project-2026
Programme details and speaker information: https://thelyceumproject.ai/event/entangled-intelligence/
