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Vistas Lifelong Learning
  • Welcome
  • About Vistas
    • About
    • Board of Directors
    • Curriculum Committee
  • Membership
    • Join Vistas
  • Vistas Calendar
  • Courses and Programs
    • Current Courses
    • Book Clubs
    • Course Videos
    • How to Register
    • Past Courses
    • Become a Presenter
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Understanding AI: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Matters

  • Thursday, September 11, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Thursday: September 11, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church 556 N.
Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price $30

Presented by: Norah Dunbar
This lecture will offer a beginner-friendly introduction to artificial intelligence (AI), focusing on what AI is, how it works, and how it impacts our everyday lives. Designed for a general audience with little to no technical background, the presentation will demystify common AI concepts, provide real-world examples, and offer guidance on how to think critically about AI tools such as ChatGPT. We’ll start with a brief history of AI, from Turing to today, then cover some definitions and common myths. We’ll discuss the difference between AI, machine learning, and deep learning. We’ll also look at ethical considerations and misuse. At the conclusion, attendees will have a foundational understanding of AI's capabilities, limitations, and implications for the future.

Understanding AI
Earlier Event: September 9
Trees of Santa Barbara 1/4
Later Event: September 11
Thursday Nonfiction Book Club