Esalen has never been a static place. It’s a living, breathing experiment: part sanctuary, part laboratory. A collective transformation unfolds here through courageous self-inquiry, inspired creativity, and the willingness to explore what’s next. Such deep and lasting change doesn’t just happen. It’s studied, stretched, embodied, challenged, and reimagined.
As we look ahead deeper into the future, we ask: What might some of Esalen’s current edges lean into?
Among the many new frontiers we're exploring is artificial intelligence. Voices of Esalen host Sam Stern recently created a charming and thoughtful claymation-style video, using Google’s Veo3 to reflect on human connection, play, and peace. The piece is quirky, soulful — and entirely AI-generated. With fun and whimsy come larger questions: What is authorship in the age of machines? What does responsible innovation look like? How can we stay rooted in embodiment while experimenting with digital processes?
As with any new tool, exploration comes with complexity, including ethical questions and environmental concerns, and we don’t claim to have all the answers. But we do believe in creating provocative conversations and staying curious as we chart new territory together. We invite you to view the piece and join the conversation.
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