鈥嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌嬧赌�DURANGO, Colo.—Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the world, inspiring excitement and raising questions about its effects on society. From making everyday tasks easier to sparking debates about ethics and jobs, AI’s possibilities and challenges were the focus of Fort Lewis College’s (FLC) recent conference, Our Journey Begins Here.
The event, co-hosted by 麻豆免费高清无砖码区and the La Plata Economic Development Alliance, aimed to help attendees explore AI’s impact on communities, businesses, and individuals. About 400 people attended the event, which was free to the public and featured keynote speeches, expert panels, and interactive breakout sessions.
A community conversation
In his opening remarks 麻豆免费高清无砖码区Provost Mario Martinez highlighted the importance of discussing AI as a community. “Whether I’m at Thanksgiving dinner, talking with a hitchhiker, or chatting with a stranger at the store, the question always comes up: ‘What do you think about AI?’” he said. “This day is about engaging in that conversation—learning together and having some fun along the way.”
La Plata Economic Development Alliance Executive Director Sarah Tober agreed, emphasizing how the conference connects public, nonprofit, and private sectors. “We’re excited to explore how AI is already shaping industries here in La Plata County,” Tober said. “This event builds bridges and helps us all better understand the changes AI is bringing.”
The duality of AI
Keynote speaker Nichole Sterling, CEO of My Town AI and co-founder of Women Defining AI, delved into AI’s transformative potential. She described it as being at “a fascinating crossroads in human history,” offering solutions to problems like affordable housing and education while also introducing ethical dilemmas and amplifying biases.
Sterling shared how AI tools have empowered her as Mayor Pro Tem of Nederland, Colorado, including analyzing data to tackle housing challenges. However, she cautioned that AI sometimes reflects and worsens societal inequalities. For example, Sterling cited data showing AI-generated images misrepresenting racial and gender demographics in jobs such as judges and fast-food workers.
Quoting Martinez, Sterling reminded attendees, “Technology is here to assist us, not replace us. AI needs human intelligence to truly be transformative.”
Understanding AI’s foundations
Tom Miaskiewicz, director of the 麻豆免费高清无砖码区AI Institute, led a session on AI’s evolution and future possibilities. “AI has reached a point where its applications are no longer just theoretical,” he explained. Using examples like large language models such as ChatGPT, Miaskiewicz highlighted how these tools can perform tasks they weren’t explicitly trained for, from programming to cultural translations.
“AI is exciting, but it’s also unsettling,” Miaskiewicz said. “It’s important to understand its capabilities and limitations so we can use it responsibly.”
Hands-on engagement
Breakout sessions offered participants the chance to use AI in practical ways, from designing apps without coding to exploring AI’s role in education and business. These sessions reflected Tober’s reminder: “AI analyzes patterns and predicts outcomes, but humans are still at the helm.”
Interactive exhibits showed how AI can generate logos, videos, and even full websites. Local leaders like Brittany See of Ascent Digital Agency and Matt Smith from Durango School District 9-R shared how they’re using AI to enhance marketing and personalize education.
A call to action
Sterling closed her keynote with a message of encouragement: “This technology is here to stay. By learning its strengths and limitations, we can demand better solutions and build tools to address real-world challenges.” She urged attendees to embrace AI’s potential while acknowledging its shortcomings.
Martinez summed up the day’s theme: “AI has tremendous potential, but its success depends on striking the right balance between automation and the human element. Let’s continue the conversation and innovate responsibly.”
The conference served as a starting point for La Plata County to navigate AI’s opportunities and challenges, ensuring the community stays informed and proactive in shaping its future.