18 Apr AI Movie Night at Codam: The Thinking Game
By Chriss Rasche
Last month, I had the pleasure of hosting an inspiring evening at Codam: an exclusive screening of ‘The Thinking Game’, an insightful documentary by award-winning filmmaker Greg Kohs.
The journey began with a spark of curiosity. After stumbling upon the documentary’s trailer, I realized there were no scheduled screenings in the Netherlands—or anywhere in Europe—and it was not available online. I reached out directly to the film’s distributor, and several encouraging conversations later, the idea of hosting my own screening became a reality.
Codam embraced my vision, offering the auditorium at our campus located on the Marineterrein in Amsterdam. With venue and resources secured, I successfully obtained a special one-time screening license.
Spreading the word was the next crucial step. Thanks to incredible support from Codam’s vibrant community, friends, and proactive pitches at local events, we swiftly “sold out” over 100 free tickets.
...several encouraging conversations later, the idea of hosting my own screening became a reality
‘The Thinking Game’ captivated an audience that spanned AI enthusiasts, tech professionals, students, and curious individuals alike. It delved into the remarkable journey of DeepMind—Google’s pioneering AI laboratory that seeks to continually redefine the boundaries of artificial intelligence. It beautifully illustrated the intersection of human creativity, determination, and cutting-edge technology.
The Codam campus was buzzing with energy after the film screening.
Following the screening, attendees engaged in lively discussions, exchanging perspectives on AI’s societal implications, education, and our collective future. These conversations echoed a key theme of the film: the power of human collaboration in shaping technological advancement.
The event showcased the strengths of Codam’s diverse and passionate community who shares an innovative, uplifting, educational experience. Guests left inspired and deeply engaged with the evolving world of artificial intelligence. One attendee thoughtfully summarized the experience: ‘The Codam campus was buzzing with energy after the film screening.’
All attendees I spoke with seemed almost charged by the DeepMind team’s tenacity in solving previously insurmountable problems. All of us felt ready to tackle difficult challenges of our own.
Organizing this event was a journey that exceeded all expectations. Initially motivated by the simple thought, “It never hurts to ask,” the experience proved far more rewarding than imagined. It’s a principle we embody here at Codam, and one I wholeheartedly encourage others to adopt: “Never be afraid to ask!”
Finally, my deepest gratitude goes to everyone who shared, promoted, helped organized, build up, and break down after the event. Without the enthusiasm and hard work of friends and peers of the Codam community, none of this would have been possible. Thank you!