SAU's College of Arts & Sciences Explores Annual Theme
The rapid and disruptive rise of Artificial Intelligence is transforming society and daily life. How does the AI revolution shape our understanding of what it means to be human? What are the potential benefits and threats of this incredibly powerful tool in a global society? How can individuals, businesses, governments, and communities use AI to create a more just and sustainable world?
In this year-long series of public events, the St. Ambrose community will explore the dawn of AI as we stand on the brink of an uncertain and exciting future.
We’ll host a geneticist from 23 & Me who uses AI to explore genetic disease risk and a composer and pianist who will both perform and speak on the tension between AI and music. See competitions between humans and AI, and machine vs. machine! Join us for a free series of major Hollywood movies, from Wall-E to The Matrix. Engage with a panel of St. Ambrose experts exploring the promise and perils of AI in the upcoming election and in the other fields that affect us all.
Upcoming Events
Vice President of I.T. at Deere will address A.I., with Q&A
January 28, 2025
Siva Ganesh, Vice President of Information Technology at Deere & Company, will speak with students, faculty, and staff about current and future uses of Artificial Intelligence. The presentation will conclude with a Question & Answer session.
Spoken Word Competition
a partnership with Midwest Writing Center
Spoken word competition: January 31, 2025, Galvin Fine Arts Center
Learn more about the partnership here.
Explore STEAM
February 18, 2025
This is a youth event with robots and other exhibits. Check back soon for more information.
Hauber Lecture of Biology
March 26, 2025
7:00 p.m., Rogalski Center Ballroom
St. Ambrose will be hosting a biology lecture open to public. Presenter Dr. Peter Wilton is associated with deep learning algorithms and genetic disease risk (23 & Me).
AI Trivia Night: Beat the Bot
February 6, 2025
7:30pm, Rogalski Center Ballroom
Faculty, staff, and students can compete against different AI bots: chatGPT, Google's Bard and Microsoft's Co-Pilot. See how well you and your team can stand up against Artificial Intelligence!
Faculty Art Show
Spring 2025
Galvin Fine Arts Center
Art exhibition of SAU artists responding to AI.
Past Events
Panel Discussion: AI & Democracy - Shaping the Future of Elections
October 16, 2024
6:00 p.m., Galvin Fine Arts Center lobby
Join us for a lively panel discussion exploring the critical role of artificial intelligence in our democratic processes, especially as we approach the upcoming elections. Our panelists will delve into issues of voter engagement, information dissemination, and the integrity of elections.
Tool or Trend? AI implications for creative entrepreneurs
October 18, 2024
2:00-2:50 p.m.: Madsen Hall, Galvin Fine Arts Center
Presented by Iowa City composer/pianist Jason Sifford will discuss the use of AI in music. A concert will be held after the discussion.
AI in Agriculture
October 23, 2024
12:00-1:00 p.m., Higgins 133 (open to the public)
Meaghan Kosmatka, a Simulation Data Science Engineer at John Deere, will discuss the roles of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence to optimize the design of agricultural machinery.
Outdoor Adventure Robot Competition
December 5, 2024
6:00-8:00 p.m., Rogalski Center Ballroom
Mechanical engineering students in ME 415 Mechatronics will compete in an autonomous robot competition. Students have designed autonomous robots to compete in an Outdoor Adventure hiking from the parking lot at sunrise to camp found through forging the river or crossing over the bridge or perhaps zipping thru the trees, traversing along a trail or off-trail, all before the sun sets.
The third, semifinal, and final round of competition will be held on Thursday, Dec. 5, from 6 to 8 p.m., in the Rogalski Center Ballroom. The competitions will also be live streamed on the St. Ambrose Engineering and Physics YouTube channel. Round 1 is Tuesday Dec. 3 at 10-11:15am in Hayes 304 and Round 2 is Thursday Dec. 5 at 10-11:15am in Rogalski Ballroom.
All rounds are free of charge, no tickets/RSVP required.
Live Stream Link: https://tinyurl.com/SAUrobot
