As technologies powered by artificial intelligence become an increasingly important part of everyday life, a new podcast from the University of Texas at Austin aims to bridge the gap between technology experts and everyone else at risk of be affected by these technologies. The first episode comes out on Thursday June 6.
AI is already shaping the way people work, learn, make big decisions, and interact, but many of the fundamentals of these technologies and the risks and benefits associated with them can seem unclear. A collaboration between UT’s College of Natural Sciences and the College of Liberal Arts, the new series offers information under the banner “AI for the Rest of Us.” It features experts from across campus and draws on lessons from a recent UT course, “The essentials of AI for life and society.” The podcast and previous course involve UT-related faculty. Good systems ethical AI project, highlighting emerging AI technologies and their impact on ordinary citizens and society.
The University of Texas at Austin declared 2024 its Year of AIand “AI for the Rest of Us” offers a summer experience with new episodes every two weeks and the ability to listen to conversations between leading UT faculty and co-hosts Marc Airhart, natural sciences science communicator , and Casey Boyle, an associate professor of rhetoric and director of UT’s Writing and Digital Research Lab.
“Everyone says AI is about to change everything,” Boyle said. “Now, I’m a critical thinker and a technology user, and whenever we have big statements like that, I get a little skeptical. So (with this series), I’m looking to learn more.
Topics range from what AI and machine learning are, to how new applications will affect areas like education and healthcare, to the changes and concerns ahead for the workforce, our democracy and much more. The first episode features Peter Stone, professor of computer science, director of Texas Robotics, one of the principal professors behind the Essential Course and Good Systems, and president of the multi-institutional group. AI 100 Study. Stone has previously spoken about the push for a broad approach at UT to introduce AI concepts to everyone.
“My number one hope,” he said, “is that participants are able to discern what is realistic and what is science fiction, to be able to understand the terminology used in the news , to be able to apply the lessons learned to real decisions. they need to achieve in their own careers and engage and inform the public debate on how our society should respond to these new technologies.
Listen via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Podcasts, RSS, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also listen on the web at aifortherest.net.
