Seoyeon Kim ‘26
Gray Colloquium Lunch with the first ‘23-’24 Gray Speaker Dino Ambrosi
Like in previous years, the Gray Colloquium brought an impressive lineup of speakers to discuss the annual theme. This year's topic, Artificial Intelligence and Citizenship sparked insightful conversations about how AI reshapes various parts of our lives and society. Each speaker offered a unique perspective, enriching our understanding of this complex subject.
Dino Ambrosi kicked off the series on October 19th, 2023. As a digital wellness speaker and the founder of Project Reboot, Mr. Ambrosi talked about the importance of managing technology use among teens. He shared his experiences at UC Berkeley, where he developed a course that helped students reduce their screen time by an average of 3.5 hours per day. His talk emphasized the need for digital detox and healthier tech habits, resonating deeply with the teen-majority audience.
On January 25th, 2024, Adrian Ross took the stage. Mr. Ross compared current AI copyright issues to the struggles for musical copyrights he faced as a musician. By highlighting the complexities of creating music, he underscored the importance of protecting creative rights in the digital age. His insights shed light on the legal and ethical challenges AI poses in intellectual property.
Kevin Maher, an Emmy-nominated writer, director, and producer, followed on February 15th, 2024. Known for his variety show "Kevin Geeks Out," Mr. Maher presented a unique and entertaining take on AI's impact on pop culture. Through a mix of rare film clips and expert commentary, he explored themes such as robots and futuristic visions, showing how AI has been both a fascination and a fear in the cultural imagination. His dynamic presentation captivated the audience and provided a refreshing perspective on AI's cultural implications.
The series continued on March 28th, 2024, with Daniela Rus, a leading roboticist and the Director of MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. Dr. Rus discussed groundbreaking innovations in robotics and AI, showcasing the latest advancements and their potential applications. Her talk highlighted both the opportunities and challenges posed by these technologies, especially in terms of ethical considerations and societal impact.
The final speaker, Nate Green, spoke on April 18, 2024. Mr. Green, a middle school teacher and Academic Technology Director at Sidwell Friends School addressed the biases and ethical concerns surrounding AI. He argued that AI could worsen social media issues in schools, impacting students' social-emotional development. His course, "The New Jim Code: How Biased AI Created Inequality," explores how systemic racism and bias are embedded in technological systems, urging educators to proactively address these issues to ensure equity and justice in technology use.
Each speaker in the Gray Colloquium ‘23-’24 brought valuable insights into how AI intersects with citizenship, highlighting the potential benefits and the ethical dilemmas we face. This year's series not only educated but also inspired attendees to think critically about the role of AI in shaping our future.
The Gray Colloquium for the 2024-2025 academic year promises to be equally inspiring with the theme "You Are Never Too Young to Change the World." This theme will focus on the remarkable achievements of young innovators and leaders, showing that age and access to resources are no barriers to making a significant impact. We look forward to welcoming another round of dynamic speakers who will share their stories and inspire the next generation to drive change and contribute to a brighter future.