Coloradan Conversations: From discussion to action

Coloradan Conversations AI

Do stories in the Coloradan ever make you think differently, inspire you to want to learn more or even take action? Have you ever brought up the topic around the dinner table or shared a story with a fellow CU «Ƶ alum? That kind of community-led discussion is the impetus for the dialogue series Coloradan Conversations. 

Coloradan Conversations: AI in Tech, Art and Ethics

Each Coloradan Conversation brings Forever Buffs and the CU «Ƶ community together to discuss a topic relevant not only on campus, but around the world. This series invites engagement and connection with thought leaders and fellow Forever Buffs about topics presented in the Coloradan alumni magazine.

During the kickoff event of the 2024 series, hear from CU experts about the ethics of artificial intelligence and how AI impacts the arts and society. Following the presentation and Q&A panel, continue the conversation with fellow attendees during a catered reception featuring CU research exhibits. 

Missed the event? Watch the full recording here:

[video:https://youtu.be/re773Kd2EKQ]

Event Details:

Thank you for attending Coloradan Conversations! We look forward to seeing you next time. 

Featured Speakers:

Kai R. Larsen

[video:https://youtu.be/YSZtSDprDrw]

Professor of information systems, organizational leadership and information analytics
Leeds School of Business

As director of the federally supported , Larsen is conducting research to create a transdisciplinary "backbone" for theoretical research. His research uses natural language processing technologies to create a framework for predictors of human behavior — with implications  from technology use and investor decisions to voter behaviors and cancer prevention.

Majid Zamani

[video:https://youtu.be/1df3Jh5P47M]

Associate professor of Computer Science
Co-associate chair for Graduate Education

Currently leading the at CU «Ƶ, Zamani focuses his research interests on verification and control of cyber-physical systems, hybrid systems, embedded control software synthesis, networked control systems and incremental properties of nonlinear control systems.

Eileen Roscina

[video:https://youtu.be/UAVZ0evsbSY]

MFA candidate
College of Arts and Sciences

Roscina is an artist, experimental filmmaker and naturalist. Through biomimicry and the study of biophilia, her work examines human’s spiritual and social (dis)connection with nature, and seeks to raise questions about realizing a radically different metaphoric mapping of time, space and our place in the world.

Rick Stevens

[video:https://youtu.be/O5bxcsUP_Xc]

Associate dean of undergraduate education
College of Media, Communication and Information

Rick's work explores ideological formation and media dissemination, including how technology infrastructure affects the delivery of messages, communication technology policy, and how media and technology platforms are changing public discourse.

Learn More:

3 Things to Know AI and the Honor Code

Learn more about students, faculty, and staff continually adjust as AI tools evolve in academic and professional settings.

Artificial Intelligence

Applications at the Computer Science Department, who focus on fundamental developments in the core areas of computer vision, data mining, machine learning, natural language processing and speech processing, while also pursuing interdisciplinary work at the interface to applications.

5 essential reads on the new era of generative artificial intelligence

Creativity, job anxiety, misinformation, bias and plagiarism—scholars are helping society come to grips with the potential benefits and harms of generative AI. Look back on The Conversation archives, featuring CU experts Daniel Acuña and .

Questions about A.I? Let’s Chat

Learn more about the role CMCI plays in ensuring students graduate prepared to lead in a world where these tools are perhaps more widely used than understood with faculty members Kai Larsen, Casey Fiesler, and Rick Stevens.

4 ways to use AI in your job search

Learn more about specific ways you can use AI to complement your job search process and some things to consider to ensure you use it most effectively. 

Hosted the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, hear from leading experts on the technical areas underlying ChatGPT and other generative AI, the uses of generative AI in university and K-12 education, and the ethical and societal issues associated with generative AI tools.

Engage More:

Join us to hear from a panel of experts steeped in the space and learn more about AI from academic, commercial, and security perspectives. 

If you are on the hunt for a new job, AI career screening may stand in the way of you and your dream position. Mikaela from Quinncia will explain how AI career screening works and will provide vital tips on how to get your resume to the hiring manager's desk.

NSF National AI Institute for Student-AI Teaming

Our vision is to broaden community contribution to the development of an AI-literate workforce. Subscribe for content on our latest projects and research and to learn about upcoming community events.

Resources from Previous Coloradan Conversations

The Polarization of Politics

Why do some issues become politicized? CU experts explain why and how voting rights, climate change and abortion became rallying cries for political parties. During this event, we heard from CU experts about the rise of political branding strategies and how differing approaches to identity and social issues contribute to contemporary patterns of polarization. This edition of Coloradan Conversations was inspired by Spring 2023's cover story, "How Did Everything Get So Political."

Transforming Treatment for Mental Health

Coloradan Conversations launched its 2023 season with a highly relevant topic: Transforming Treatment for Mental Health, featuring a conversation centered on new ways to diagnose and treat mental illness using brain imaging, genetics, telemedicine and community-based intervention—particularly among college-aged students. This dialogue was inspired by the Coloradan alumni magazine’s Fall 2022 cover story, “CU Researchers Rethink Mental Illness.”

Climate Change and Its Impact on Human Rights

From increasing droughts and wildfires to polluted air and deforestation, natural disasters have an enormous impact on humans, including Indigenous ways of life. Inspired by a recent story collection in the Coloradan — “” — CU experts and faculty shared insights and research at Coloradan Conversations: Climate Change and Its Impact on Human Rights. Be inspired to take action with resources from our speakers.

The Future of Work

One thing is clear — the pandemic upended the way we work. As many organizations transition to hybrid workplaces and collaborate over Zoom, how should we prepare for a shifting workplace landscape? CU «Ƶ faculty discussed this topic, inspired by the Coloradan article,  

Leadership

At this virtual event, attendees discussed the evolving nature of leadership, a topic highlighted in the Summer 2021 issue. Panelists included moderator and former Denver City Council President Albus Brooks (RelSt’01), Shilo Brooks, faculty director of the Engineering Leadership Program, Stefanie K. Johnson, associate professor of organizational leadership and information analytics, and Brian Muriithi (CTD’23), a student in the Engineering Leadership Program.