Human Connection + AI Summit 

What do young people need to reclaim and evolve connection in an age of AI?

SEPTEMBER 10-13, 2025

Today’s young people are coming of age in an era of disconnection. They spend more time alone than any generation before, navigate technology designed to pull their attention to screens, and report record levels of loneliness and anxiety.

And now, generative AI is reshaping the landscape of trust and relationships in ways we can barely wrap our minds around — blurring the lines of what is real and introducing not just relationships through technology, but with technology itself.

The collision of these two forces is a real reason for concern. But this is not the whole story. Young people — native to a world where technology and relationships are deeply intertwined — are already forging new ways to use digital spaces for expression, belonging, and community.

What if this isn’t a crisis, but a crossroads? What if this generation leads us into a new era of human connection in harmony with technology?

The question is: How do we equip young people to reclaim and evolve connection in this AI age?

This September, we are convening 35 visionary leaders in Colorado—psychologists, youth advocates, educators, technologists, and researchers—each holding a critical piece of the puzzle. This invite-only summit is designed to break down silos, spark fresh insights, and chart a path toward a future where technology strengthens relationships rather than replaces them.

Join us in shaping this future.

  • "In the age of AI we can no longer take authentic human connection for granted. But the Rithm Project is a compass, helping young people and those who support them orient to a different future--one where breakthrough advances in AI don't have to result in devastating costs to human connection.

    Julia Freeland Fisher

    Director of Education at Christensen Institute

  • "The Rithm Project has truly perfected the art of bringing together deep expertise, intentional connection, and genuine heart. Their ability to foster meaningful dialogue and build community around complex issues is both rare and deeply inspiring."

    JULYA LODER
    Director of Programs and Knowledge
    Mindful Philanthropy

  • "In a moment when AI is rapidly transforming everything, this Summit grounded us in what truly matters: human connection, vulnerability, and community. Friendships formed naturally, support flowed freely, and I left changed—more hopeful, more thoughtful, and more committed."

    EDEN XENAKIS
    Chief of Staff
    Bezos Family Foundation

  • “If you are worried about the ways in which AI might lead us over a collective cliff like I am, then this convening is for you. It won’t completely alleviate your fears (in fact, it may amplify some), but it will do something even more helpful: it will restore your belief in humanity.”

    DAREN DICKSON
    Chief Culture Officer
    Valor Collegiate Academy

  • "The people, the discussions, the intentional design, thought, and love that went into curating this experience has my mind still swirling with confusion and intrigue - my heart feeling full of desire to stay connected and engaged with this community of magical, authentic, and driven people."

    CAITLIN LONG
    Co-Founder & Head of Curriculum
    re|scripted

  • “This is an opportunity to learn with brilliant people and build connections that remind you that you are not stepping into this uncertain future alone. You will walk away smarter, refreshed, and with a stronger sense of agency.”

    TERAY ESQUIBEL
    Executive Director
    Purpose Commons

  • We’ll walk the walk of connection, prioritizing relationships with each other and exploring what this unlocks.

  • You were invited because you hold a unique piece of the puzzle. We’ll create the space for you to contribute your expertise and for your perspective to evolve.

  • Through activities designed to engage our collective imagination, we’ll challenge ourselves to think beyond the familiar and tap into different ways of knowing. We’ll invite you to approach this with curiosity and a spirit of experimentation.

  • A big question will anchor our time together, guided by an intentional roadmap — but not a rigid destination. Again and again, we’ve seen that the right people, with rich fodder, and a shared aspiration can spark possibilities we couldn’t have predicted.

What you can expect

With the help of futurists and actors, we’ll step into immersive simulations of what the world might look like as AI continues to reshape human connection. Watch the clip to hear two past participants reflect on the value of a similar simulation to spark reflection and sharpen our understandings of the possibilities and risks.

Day 1

We will arrive mid-afternoon to set the stage for the time together. We will begin by building community, rooting ourselves in why human connection matters — to us, to young people today, to this moment in time — and what we know about what supports and erodes it.

Day 2

We’ll spend the day exploring how AI is—and will continue—reshaping relationships and meaningful connection. As part of that, we’ll dive into “experiential futures”—immersive glimpses into what the world might look like a decade from now—to sharpen our vision of the future we want to create.

Day 3

We weave together our conversations from the last two days to answer our key question: what do young people need to have agency over this moment and actively build a future that prioritizes connection? We’ll hone our personal points of view about this, and try our hands at building and refining concrete solutions.

Day 4

While programming will officially close on day 3, we’ve found that most people like to stay the extra night to continue collaborating with the group and enjoying the beautiful facilities before heading out mid-morning on Friday

Where we will be

We are honored to host the gathering at Lone Rock Retreat. An hour drive outside of Denver, Colorado, this beautiful mountain retreat provides the perfect setting to connect with nature, each other, and look out to the horizon — literally and metaphorically.

FAQs

  • This is an intentionally curated group of 35 leaders who can uniquely help us make breakthroughs increasing human connection, and are poised take action on our collective learning. The attendees bring deep expertise in some essential dimension of this challenge — from research, to leading school systems, to developing tech products. Each person is accomplished in their own right, but enters with low ego and eagerness to learn from others and push their thinking.

  • With the generous support of funders, we are excited to subsidize the cost of the experience for participants. There will be a sliding scale ranging from $0 to $2,500 to attend for the full event. This includes programming, food, and accommodations.

    It does not include flights to/from Colorado unless you are a student.

  • We’d love to know your recommendations — please send them to info@therithmproject.org. There are going to be so many more amazing people than space, but we will be excited to keep them in mind for future engagements if not this one.

  • Given the nature of the event and the remote mountain location, we’re asking that people only join if they can commit to attending the full event. Our programming will begin at 4pm MT on Wednesday, September 10, and conclude at 4pm MT on Friday, September 12. We expect that most people will chose to stay until Saturday morning to continue to enjoy the Lone Rock campus, continue the conversations, and integrate the experience; however, we will also offer an option to depart Friday evening.

    Once you have confirmed your attendance, we will share more details about travel, including flight arrival and departure windows and group shuttle information. If you have any pressing questions about travel or timing, feel free to reach out to us.