Effective Altruism Chicago Book Club - A Brief History of Intelligence

What is intelligence—and how did it evolve into the complex systems we see today, including AI? Join us for a discussion of A Brief History of Intelligence by Max Bennett , which explores how learning, decision-making, and cognition emerged over time, from simple organisms to humans and modern artificial systems. While anyone is welcome, we’ll frame part of the conversation through an effective altruism lens, including: What this implies about the future of AI How to think about moral patienthood (which beings matter morally) Whether there are overlooked opportunities to do good related to animal or artificial minds Whether you’ve read the whole book or just want to engage with the ideas, come join a thoughtful, EA-focused discussion. This event takes place in an apartment community room. Doors open at 6 but discussion likely won't start until 7. We will have snacks and drinks! If any questions, please reach out to effectivealtruismchicago@gmail.com Hope to see you there!