Thought-leader group to tackle AI’s promise, peril

LOVELAND — Is artificial intelligence a genie that has left the bottle or Pandora escaping her box?

Quid Novi, a thought-leader organization in Northern Colorado that attempts to shed light on innovation, will attempt to answer those questions at its February showcase, scheduled for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24 in the Collaboratory Room just east of Grimm Brothers Brewery in Building B at The Forge campus, 815 14th St. SW.

Artificial intelligence has invaded many parts of our personal and business lives:

• Virtually every Google search these days leads off not with the traditional word-matching search results but with an AI-generated result that presents information the tool thinks the user wants.
• Netflix and YouTube present entertainment to users based upon preferences that their AI tools gather from numerous sources.
• Google maps analyze traffic to tell drivers how long their trip will take.
• AI tools can help people write memos, emails and books.
• AI can help spot diseases before they’re apparent.
• Autonomous vehicles — those without drivers — use AI to figure out how to navigate streets and highways.
• Banks use AI to analyze patterns that could signal fraudulent activity.

Those are all good outcomes from the use of artificial intelligence, but AI tools also create deep-fake videos and photos that embarrass or destroy reputations. They are used by Russian, Chinese and third-world actors to launch cyber-attacks. And they can be used for mass surveillance of ordinary, honest residents of a community or country.

Drew Giffin, an AI consultant and digital marketing specialist who uses AI in the course of his work, will lead the Quid Novi discussion.

“AI is amazing and is here to stay,” Giffin said. “However, we are at an inflection point in human society, and the future will be shaped not by the technology itself, but by the people experienced enough to use it wisely.”

Quid Novi, which is Latin for “what’s new,” hosts showcases on the last Tuesday of each month. A $20 admission will be charged, which includes hors d’oeuvres. Drinks will be available for purchase.

Quid Novi, founded in 2010 by Fort Collins resident Rick Griggs, seeks to cross boundaries for innovation and collaboration while encouraging participants to think and discover new ideas. In addition to the artificial-intelligence discussion, the showcase also will include displays of books by authors in the region.

Quid Novi’s programs for this year are being developed. The March showcase will include a discussion of “Journalism: The Search for Truth.”Additional information and pre-registration information can be found at QuidNovi.io,

Share on Facebook on LinkedIn