In the inaugural episode of the AI and Humanities podcast, Rebekah Cummings and Elizabeth Callaway discuss why the humanities are necessary to building technology that promotes human flourishing. Lizzie and Rebekah tell the story of how they developed the (formerly) NEH-funded Summer Institute for Higher Education Faculty "Humanities Perspectives on AI," their experience getting DOGE'd in April 2025, and how they raised money to host the Summer Institute in July 2025 as planned. They reflect on lessons learned from the Institute and set the stages for the episodes to come!