AI: What It Means, and What It Means For Your Life

Generative artificial intelligence. Machine learning. Artificial hallucination. Neural networks. Large language models.  These terms might sound like science fiction, but they describe a very real technology affecting much of our daily lives, with vast implications for how we live, learn, and interact with the world and people around us.

But what is AI, really? Hype and fear aside, how does it work, how “intelligent” is it, and how is it being used all around us, right now? And perhaps more importantly –– what does it mean for the future?

Together, we’ll explore current developments in AI, meeting ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, Grok, and – even scarier – humans along the way, and find out that whatever you think about AI, it’s probably a little more complicated and a little more weird than you’d expect.

This lecture is part of the Spotlight on AI series – a monthly look at how this powerful and destabilizing technology is affecting both our day-to-day lives and the broader landscape of world events. 

February 12, 2pm – AI: What It Means, How It Works, & What It Means For Your Life
March 12, 2pm – Real or Robot: How to Identify AI Images & Text
April 9, 2pm – Good Bot: Responsible AI Use For Home & Work
May 14, 2pm – Protecting Your Privacy & Identity in an AI World