FREEPORT — Join Highland Community College for the 31st Annual Boyer Colloquium, “Generative AI’s Environmental, Economic, and Ethical Impacts in Illinois,” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 1 in room H-201 of the Student/Conference Center, 2998 W. Pearl City Rd., Freeport, Ill. This free presentation will also be offered via Zoom™.
The Boyer will consist of a moderated panel of speakers: Steve Stadelman, State Senator – 34th District, Scott Vogt, Principal at Vogt Energy Advisors, and Jeremy Monigold, Information Technology Instructor at HCC concerning the energy costs, environmental impact, and ethical dilemmas of generative artificial intelligence (AI). Jeremy Monigold will outline general history and specifics related to generative AI. Scott Vogt will speak to energy production and usage and the effect of generative AI, with a special focus on Illinois. Steve Stadelman, Chair of the State Senate Energy and Public Utilities committee, will speak to the role of public policy related to generative AI.
“The future of AI isn’t just about innovation. It’s about making choices that align with our values and our planet.” said Jeremy Monigold. “As AI becomes more common, understanding its environmental and ethical impacts are responsibilities for everyone.”
Students in Highland’s biology and environmental science programs will have the opportunity to attend a closed presentation from Vogt earlier in the day on campus.
The Boyer Colloquium, an annual event sponsored by the late Dr. M.E. Boyer, was created in 1994 to help students and communities understand the importance of the inter-relationships between ethics, economics and ecology. The Boyer Colloquium Committee believes that if communities comprehend issues, the history of previous decisions and the ramifications of prior actions, they will be better positioned to make informed decisions.
The evening colloquium is free and open to both Highland’s campus and the community. For more information about the Boyer Colloquium, visit highland.edu/boyer for the Zoom™ link or call 815-599-3493.