Valley City State University will host a free three-part lecture series in April titled “Making Sense of AI: Education, Workforce and Community.” The three sessions will be available both in person and online, allowing people statewide to attend and learn about how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the workplace. The sessions are being presented by VCSU’s AI Institute for Teaching and Learning. Jerry Rostad, Director for Special Projects at VCSU, emphasized the series' goal to provide practical, real-world insights into how AI is redefining employer-valued skills, cutting through the hype for students, parents, and professionals. All sessions are free and open to the public, with no pre-registration required.
Virtual Sessions
This section details the schedule for the online lecture series. Participants can join virtually via Microsoft Teams. The series consists of three distinct sessions, each held on a Monday at 6 p.m. The first session, 'AI Intro,' is scheduled for April 13. The second, 'AI In Education,' will take place on April 20. Finally, 'AI In Workforce' will conclude the virtual series on April 27. These virtual offerings aim to provide broad accessibility for interested individuals across the state to engage with the AI topics from their preferred location, providing flexible learning opportunities for a wide audience.
In-Person Sessions
This section outlines the in-person component of the lecture series, which will be hosted at the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts on the VCSU campus. Similar to the virtual format, there are three sessions, each commencing at 6 p.m., but held on Tuesdays. The 'AI Intro' session is set for April 14. The subsequent 'AI In Education' session will be on April 21, and the final 'AI In Workforce' discussion will occur on April 28. These in-person events offer attendees a direct campus experience to participate in the lectures and potentially interact with the presenters and other participants in a live setting, fostering deeper engagement.
Session One: AI Intro
The inaugural session of the lecture series, titled 'AI Intro,' is specifically crafted to provide a clear and easily understandable introduction to Artificial Intelligence for a general audience. It aims to demystify AI by explaining its fundamental nature, current applications across various domains, and highlighting both the promising opportunities it presents and the inherent risks associated with its development and deployment. Crucially, this session will delve into significant ethical considerations surrounding AI, discuss vital data privacy and security concerns, and promote the principles of responsible AI utilization to ensure a balanced understanding of the technology.
Session Two: AI in Education
Focusing on the academic realm, 'AI in Education' will showcase practical insights from educators actively integrating Artificial Intelligence into their teaching and learning methodologies. This session promises a hands-on perspective, as featured educators will present concrete examples of their AI implementations within educational settings. Attendees will gain valuable understanding into the successful strategies employed, observe live demonstrations of AI tools, and learn about the various challenges and obstacles that these pioneers have encountered throughout their journey of incorporating AI into the curriculum and instructional practices. This will provide a realistic view of AI's role in modern education.
Session Three: AI in Workforce
The final session, 'AI in Workforce,' is dedicated to examining the profound impact of Artificial Intelligence on the professional landscape. It will comprehensively explore how AI is fundamentally altering existing job roles, giving rise to entirely new career opportunities, and necessitating a re-evaluation of essential skills required across diverse industries. The session will commence with an insightful overview of current workforce trends directly influenced by AI, detailing emergent job categories. This foundational segment will then be complemented by presentations from professionals who are currently leveraging AI in their day-to-day operations, offering real-world perspectives on its practical application in the workplace and preparing attendees for future career demands.
