USU's Science Unwrapped Asks 'AI Is Innovative, but Can We Trust It?' Friday, Nov. 15

Artificial intelligence captures our imaginations with its rocketing innovation and surging accessibility. AI-generated text, video, images and voices seem like magic, yet can also be a wolf in sheep’s clothing with incorrect and misleading information. How do we harness this amazing tool while curbing potential harm?

Utah State University data scientist John Lawson, who uses AI to predict weather hazards, will explore what artificial intelligence means, along with how to create trustworthy AI, as featured speaker for USU’s Science Unwrapped public outreach program Friday, Nov. 15. He will present “AI is an Astounding Innovation, but Can We Trust It?” at 7 p.m. in the Emert Auditorium, Room ESLC 130, of the Eccles Science Learning Center.

Admission is free and all ages are welcome.

Hands-on learning activities led by USU student groups and community volunteers, along with refreshments, will follow Lawson’s presentation. The talk will also be recorded and posted on the Science Unwrapped website within a week of the in-person event.

Directions and parking information are available on the program’s website.

Lawson, a self-described “weather nerd at heart,” is a research assistant professor in USU’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics and serves as a senior research scientist with the Bingham Research Center at USU Uintah Basin in Vernal. His research focuses on improving air quality. His presentation is the third and final talk in Science Unwrapped’s fall 2024 Joining Forces series.

“Our Joining Forces series explores the synergy and innovation that develop when we collaborate in scientific activity and research across divergent disciplines,” says Brynja Kohler, Science Unwrapped chair, associate dean in the College of Science and professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. “We’ll hear from scientists from a wide range of fields who work with people of varied expertise to come up with creative, sustainable solutions.”

Following the Nov. 15 event, Science Unwrapped will resume Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, with the new series, “Celebrate Undergrad Research,” in conjunction with USU’s upcoming “Year of Undergraduate Research" in 2025.

Established in 2009, Science Unwrapped is hosted by USU’s College of Science.

For more information, call 435-797-3517, visit the Science Unwrapped website or view the ‘Science Unwrapped at USU’ Facebook page.