AI for Regular People

Dates: April 2 - May 7, 2026
Meets: Th from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM
 Location: Osher Online
Cost:  $75.00

There are still openings remaining at this time.

Date Day Time
04/02/2026Thursday5 PM to 6:30 PM
04/09/2026Thursday5 PM to 6:30 PM
04/16/2026Thursday5 PM to 6:30 PM
04/23/2026Thursday5 PM to 6:30 PM
04/30/2026Thursday5 PM to 6:30 PM
05/07/2026Thursday5 PM to 6:30 PM

Please note: This course program requires membership in a 2025-2026 OLLI at MSU Membership

Description

This program will not be recorded.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping nearly every aspect of our lives, from chatbots and autonomous vehicles to precision medicine and robotic art. Back by popular demand, this updated course will revisit key concepts from the previous offering (such as the history of AI and its surprising comeback), with examples and discussion topics reflecting the latest developments. In these jargon-free sessions, we will explore what makes modern AI different from earlier attempts, how it works and where it's headed. We will consider the human side of AI, including the jobs it might replace or create, the ethical dilemmas it raises and how it could help, or harm, our daily lives. Whether we are curious, cautious or excited about AI, this course will provide ways to understand and engage with this powerful technology.

About the Osher Online Program

Osher Online programs are provided to OLLI at MSU from the Osher National Resource Center at Northwestern University. Experience shared online presentations with OLLI members from coast to coast! As part of the Osher Online program, OLLI at MSU members will enjoy national speakers and interact with fellow OLLI members nationwide.

Scholarship

Apply for a needs-based scholarship to take this offering.

Fee:  $75.00

Osher Online

This is a real-time (live) online class that meets at the specified day(s)/time(s) listed.

Hod Lipson

Hod Lipson, Ph.D., is a Professor of Engineering and Data Science at Columbia University. Dr. Lipson directs Columbia's Creative Machines Lab, where his team builds artificially intelligent robots that can design, create and express emotion. One of the world's most-cited academic roboticists, his work has been featured in The New York Times, NPR, TED and Quanta. Melba Kurman is an author and technology analyst. She has held roles at Microsoft, Cornell University and several tech startups. She writes about emerging technologies and their societal impact. Together, they co-authored Driverless and Fabricated: The Promise and Peril of 3D Printing and are frequent speakers on AI and innovation.
Date Day Time Location
04/02/2026Thursday5 PM to 6:30 PM Osher Online
04/09/2026Thursday5 PM to 6:30 PM Osher Online
04/16/2026Thursday5 PM to 6:30 PM Osher Online
04/23/2026Thursday5 PM to 6:30 PM Osher Online
04/30/2026Thursday5 PM to 6:30 PM Osher Online
05/07/2026Thursday5 PM to 6:30 PM Osher Online