Historic AI Conference at Transfiguration Church Mattituck NY

International scholars

Mattituck is a summer community 80 miles from Astoria, NY. Rural and quiet by the seashore, attracting Greeks, who want to remember their homeland. From late Fall to Spring, all is quiet. Community life centers  around church, school, and local library with community related events.

            An amazing culture event took place on Sunday, April 21, 12-2 PM, at Transfiguration of Christ Greek Orthodox Church of Mattituck, 1950 Breakwater Road. International scholars and professionals in their fields presented an informative program on the Ambassador Dionyssios Kalambrezos book “Virtual Nightmare” on  Artificial Intelligence (AI). Speakers included Dr. Nicholas Alexiou; Dr. George C. Giakos; Dr. Alexandros Graikos; and Ambassador Kalambrezos. The event moderators were Marika Andreola-Paleos and Hellenic-American Taxpayers & Civic Association (HATCAST) President Nick Paleos.

  Ambassador Dionyssios Kalambrezos

A reception followed. Rev. Andrew Cadieux, President Anna Flossos  of the parish council with church organizations, sponsored the event with the Hellenic-American Taxpayers & Civic Association of Southold Township (HATCAST). The Transfiguration Church and HATCAST together created history, gathering top international experts in Mattituck. Chris Shaskin, Secretary of the Mattituck Park District represented the local town. For more information, please contact the Transfiguration Church and Kosta Vagelatos and Marika Andreola-Paleos of Hatcast on Facebook.

Speakers with Church and HATCAST organizers and persons who attended.

Ambassador Dionyssios Kalambrezos, Ph.D. gave us an insight in the European Union, United Nations, and Greece government. He was born in Zakynthos, studied law  and acquired degrees internationally. The Ambassador is Deputy Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations. He has authored numerous books, combining a diplomatic career with literature. His short stories, articles and papers have been published in anthologies, reviews, magazines, and newspapers.

The ”Virtual Nightmare” book  takes place in the near future, New York, in an environment dominated by artificial intelligence, digitization, cyberattacks and immigration. After major pandemics, conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, energy crises and terrorist attacks, the strategy for a new era of security, prosperity, and development for all is being established in the US and measures are being taken. However, as these do not have a direct effect on a category of citizens, the Transitional Social Protection Service is created, with the aim of contributing to their smooth adaptation to the new era. During that period, in addition to conventional cyber-attacks that continue despite the measures, most originating from foreign hostile actors and criminal networks, non-conventional attacks are also taking place.

Event moderators were Marika Andreola-Paleos and HATCAST President Nick Paleos.

The novel unfolds strangers creating  a virtual place, in which they lure Internet users, transporting them to unspecified virtual environments. The developments and involuntary virtual wanderings involve government officials, researchers in programs to deal with psychoses attributed to new technologies, some suffering from certain neurological diseases, anti-government activists, and a mysterious young woman. This mysterious woman, while she seems to be living an ordinary life, has a central role, often involuntarily and uncontrollably, without her realizing it, in a simultaneously evolving story, in the real world as well as in the virtual world. For more information, contact Ambassador Kalambrezos on facebook.

The scholars presented basic facts about the importance of artificial intelligence and their operation and risk of being outflanked by rivals in business, because of the new technology. Business competitors can use AI in the business workplace. Employees must be trained to properly use AI. It is too late to ignore.AI. We have to figure out how to shape it. Policies must be developed to protect customer relationships, and important information.

Every business must have an AI advisor who understands the whole AI scene. AI  has many downsides, such as fake videos of celebrities. The technology can perpetuate for falsehoods, bias, and plagiarism. Nevertheless, AI has the potential to solve big problems and save money for businesses such as drug and insurance companies.

    Many businesses are already producing marketing and advertising campaigns to communicate with customers. AI is not something optional. It is essential to our life. We will all be forced to adopt. It is  being used widespread by all industries. AI still needs to have humans to direct it. The human worker needs to safeguard protect information. AI used by the government without sufficient safeguards can give false advice.

AI’s ability to interpret data, could upend the process of buying an insurance policy and filing a claim. Some people may find it harder to get coverage, while others will benefit from cheaper rates and quicker applications. AI will help cut down all the questions needed for a home insurance application.

       A shift will take place in life insurance underwriting. As AI models improve, more carriers offer accelerated underwriting. Customers will save money. The industry is integrating AI. But there are concerns about cyber security, privacy. The potential exists to discriminate based on characteristics like race, gender, and other areas. A question and answer period followed. The questioners voiced their opinions on the negative aspects of AI used in the wrong hands.

            I have been writing about the history of the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox church as a high school student in the 1960’s. This is the first time an  international political leader and scholars in their fields have presented a topic of historical significance. I am still amazed at who attended a quiet, country church in the farmlands of Long Island.

            The events were organized by the World Federation of Cephalonian & Ithacian Societies ‘Odysseus,’ Hellenic American National Council, AHI, Kefalos Society of America, Cephalonian Brotherhood of New York, Pan-Zakynthian Brotherhood ‘D. Solomos’ New York, Society of Kastorians ‘Omonoia’ New York, the Greek American Writers’ Association, HATCAST (Greek American Homeowners of Long Island), and Transfiguration of Christ Greek Orthodox Church of Mattituck. Held under the auspices of the Center for Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies at Queens College, CUNY, the Hellenic American Project (HAP), Queens College, CUNY, the Permanent Mission of Greece to the United Nations, and the Consulate General of Greece in New York,With the support of the Hellenic Film Society USA, Association of Greek-American Professional Women (AGAPW), Brussels AHEPA Chapter 610, ALLILONNet, Daughters of Penelope ‘Thetis’ Chapter of Brussels, Writers Festival of Belgium, and Papazisis Publishers, Athens. All these organizations created a historical moment at the Transfiguration of Christ Greek Orthodox Church in Mattituck, Long Island.

Special appreciation to Costa and Cathy Vagelatos of HATCAST who inspired and aided me.