AI Crash Course : Catching Up to the Future

It's not just you. Everyone is basically thinking the same thing: When did this happen?

We've gone from slow but steady material advances in machine learning to a seeming explosion and ubiquity of AI-based features, products, and solutions. Even more, we're all expected to know how to adopt, use, and think about all of these magical new capabilities.

Equal parts amazing and terrifying, what you need to know about these so-called “AI” solutions is much easier to understand and far less magical than it may seem. This is your chance to catch up with the future and figure out what it means for you.

In this two part presentation, we will cover why this time it is different, except where it isn't. I won't assume much background and won't discuss much math.

A brief history of AI
Machine Learning
Deep Learning
Deep Reinforcement Learning
The Rise of Generative AI
Large Language Models and RAG
Multimodal Systems
Bias, Costs, and Environmental Impacts
AI Reality Check

At the end of these sessions, you will be conversant with the major topics and understand better what to expect and where to spend your time in learning more.