Award winning technology journalist and bestselling author Karen Hao is the 2026 Dai Ho Chun Distinguished Chair at the University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa鈥檚 . Hao will give a free public lecture exploring how the race for artificial intelligence is reshaping society, economics and the environment. Hao鈥檚 talk, scheduled for October 8 at 6:30 p.m. at Kennedy Theatre, will draw on years of reporting to examine the extraordinary concentration of wealth, resources and power behind the artificial intelligence boom and its consequences for communities around the world.

“Karen Hao鈥檚 work has been cited as a must-read for those who are interested in deepening our understanding of societal shaping of this key technology. She will provide nuanced contexts to the AI debates,” said Denise Konan, interim provost at 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补.

AI and society

Hao, one of the world鈥檚 leading AI reporters, argues that companies like OpenAI, Anthropic and Google are gaining enormous power. Her lecture will explore what that means and how governments, universities and the public can help shape AI鈥檚 future.

“Universities have served as a public space to discuss important social and environmental issues,” said Aya H. Kimura, senior sustainability advisor and professor of sociology in the 糖心视频 M膩noa College of Social Sciences. “We envision her talk to be a part of such broader discussion on how to govern AI with the principles of sustainability, transparency and accountability.”

Legacy gift

Hao鈥檚 appearance is made possible by the late Dai Ho Chun through his estate gift to the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation. The endowment is held in the 糖心视频 M膩noa College of Social Sciences.

The event is organized in coordination with the , a joint venture of 糖心视频 M膩noa, The Learning Coalition and Hawaiʻi Community Foundation.