Artists Against Generative AI Event in North Adams

03:37PM / Thursday, May 14, 2026Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Common Folk Artist Collective will host a free arts showcase and forum during ArtWeek Berkshires for local artists on ways we can organize against generative AI.

The event will feature stories, poetry, artwork, music, and more creative expression from local artists standing against the impact of AI on the arts.

It will be held on May 20, from 6 to 8 pm at the Common Folk Artist Collective, 165 E Main Street, North Adams, MA 01247.

According to a press release:

Facilitated by Hari Kumar: local storyteller, recovering engineer, AI critic, and founder of Convivo. Kumar has been featured on local radio several times, has presented on the harms of AI at a debate at Berkshire Community College, and provides free resources and webinars to raise awareness of AI's costs and realities.

"Most people do not realize that generative AI products do not do what the marketing says they do, and do not know that AI data centers are exponentially worse for the environment than traditional data centers," said Kumar. "let alone the reality that generative AI relies on stealing original work by artists and trained using exploited labor from around the world. This event is intended for artists but also our local community as a way to celebrate and support authentic human creativity."

The event is free, RSVPs are encouraged at: https://bit.ly/artists-against-ai

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Berkshires Remember First Responders, Military Personnel Lost at 9/11 and Aftermath

By Jack Guerino & Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
02:30PM / Friday, September 11, 2026

North Adams Mayor Jennifer Macksey, with Fire Chief Brent Lefebvre speaks at Friday's memorial.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The county's two cities held memorials on Friday morning to mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

Great Barrington was scheduled to hold a dedication of piece of steel from the World Trade Center at 6 p.m.

North Adams held its ceremony in the fire station's side garden starting at exactly 8:46 a.m., the time Flight 11 crashed into the World Trade Center's North Tower.

The small square of grass was packed with police officers, firefighters, wire and alarm personnel, dispatchers, and Northern Berkshire EMS employees, and city employees, officials and community members.

After the ceremonial tolling of the bell, an honor guard presented the colors.

Mayor Jennifer Macksey said it felt odd welcoming people to a very solemn event.

"What happened 25 years ago put a mark on emergency services. It put additional pressure on police, fire, EMS, and dispatchers," Macksey said. "While we remember those who lost their lives during 9/11, and those who ran to help as many as they could during 9/11, we have to pause and appreciate those who continue to serve despite that awful threat that occurred 25 years ago."

She said it was a direct attack on the United States and all of its people.

"It was a question of our freedoms and our ability to be safe in our communities," the mayor said. "I can say today that here in North Adams, it could happen to us, but I know with the professionalism of our Fire Department, Police Department, EMS, and our dispatch team, we are a better community; we are a safer community than we were 25 years ago."

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