About HEGEMONACO

Introduction

HEGEMONACO is a critical initiative advancing discourse on the ethical governance of artificial and general intelligence (AGI) in democratic societies. HEGEMONACO interrogates how ideological divides, moral frameworks, and power structures influence AI development—and what’s at stake for human agency, civil liberties, and the future of democratic self-rule.

About Dennis Stevens, Ed.D.

Creative Catalyst | Veteran | Writer | Visual Artist | Thought Leader

Dennis Stevens, Ed.D. is a transdisciplinary thinker and builder working at the intersection of art, technology, design, and democratic resilience. With a background spanning military service, visual arts, education, and systems innovation, he brings a uniquely integrative perspective to the complex moral, cultural, and political questions shaping our time.

Other Projects

• Unnamed Project (in development) – A private initiative focused on narrative healing, veteran reintegration, and personal transformation through guided self-authorship. Rooted in reflective practice, this project combines coaching, philosophy, and creative expression to help individuals reframe their life stories and foster resilience in a fractured world.

• Penelope Mimetics LLC – A B2B innovation firm translating scientific breakthroughs into sustainable technologies through biomimicry, synthetic biology, and precision fermentation. The company develops proprietary solutions and commercialization strategies across emerging markets.

• Conway Cultural Development Corporation – A 501(c)(3) nonprofit using creative placemaking to revitalize communities and spark cross-cultural dialogue. Its work connects the arts, education, and economic development to foster local resilience and global exchange.

Key Themes

• AI, Governance & Democratic Fragility
  Challenging the illusion of algorithmic neutrality by calling for ethical frameworks that acknowledge the inevitability of conflict and competing values. Drawing on constitutional insights—especially from The Federalist Papers—Dr. Stevens examines how AI systems can either undermine or uphold the pluralistic foundations of democratic life.

• Narrative as Infrastructure
  Exploring the power of personal and cultural narratives to shape identity, belief, and belonging. Through his in-development project, he focuses on helping individuals—particularly veterans and first responders—author new meaning from lived experience.

• Rethinking Objectivity in Media
  Arguing for a move beyond passive objectivity in journalism toward knowledge brokering: a contextual, values-aware approach to public discourse that makes space for conflict while resisting authoritarian simplification.

Education & Background

• Ed.D., Art & Art Education – Teachers College, Columbia University

• M.A., Instructional Technology – San Jose State University

• B.F.A. – Clemson University

• U.S. Coast Guard Veteran – Former Gunner’s Mate (E-5)

What to Expect Here

This Substack explores the frontiers of ethical technology, narrative identity, and the future of democratic agency. Through essays, visual reflections, and philosophical provocations, Dr. Stevens investigates how we might meet our moment with integrity, imagination, and a refusal to oversimplify.

We have important choices to make as a society.

As Neil Postman has argued, we must balance technological advancements with preserving our cultural values, ensuring that technology serves human needs rather than dominating them.

I work in the liminal—between code and culture, myth and model. A veteran of systems, a steward of meaning, I create spaces for learning and growth.