Category: News

Katie Conrad is Professor of English at the University of Kansas and does primary research on technology and culture. She is an expert on uses of artificial intelligence (AI). She spoke about ChatGPT, a form of AI that many people use to create language content. Other forms of AI include fraud detection, algorithm applications, translations, facial recognition, self driving vehicles and military uses. AI has great potential to benefit society but its reliance on algorithms to produce content can produce errors and can be manipulated to create false content. Ethical challenges include labor exploitation, copyright/intellectual property infringement, and the environmental costs of energy consuming data centers. The problems of misinformation and deepfakes are huge, as social media readily distributes fake content as authentic. Finally, will reliance on AI make people less able to think critically? Professor Conrad cautions that a great effort will be necessary to understand and manage this powerful capability.

Lawrence Public Library Deputy Director, Kathleen Morgan, provided an update on library activities and services. The library has recently completed a community survey asking citizens to share their wishes and expectations for the library. They got a great response, learning that people were interested in programing that provided creative engagement, more seating and safety concerns. The bus exchange space across the street has impacted on the library and positive steps have been taken to manage library property. And agreement with the city permits the library to manage the green space adjacent to the building and security staff has been increased. Kathleen said the changes have had good results and that library property is quite safe. She also spoke about popular programs and services like the DYI Memory Lab where personal photos, tapes and scrapbooks may be digitalized, adult services for retirees, summer reading, and convenient book lockers situated through out the city. A recent fund raiser will make it possible to construct a stage for the green space. The library has a very successful foundation and friends group, with city tax dollars providing the major support for the library.

On September 11, 2001 American Airlines flight 77 was deliberately crashed into the Pentagon at 9:37 a.m. Retired Air Force Colonel Mike Kelly was in a staff meeting when the plane struck the other side of the building. The crash penetrated three rings of offices and its load of jet fuel exploded in a deadly fire that took several days to extinguish. The 64 passengers in the plane were killed and an additional 125 people on the ground lost their lives. Colonel Kelly didn’t not hear the crash but smelled the jet fuel and heard the fire alarms. He reviewed the events of the day and profiled heroic actions taken by people on the four hijacked flights and personnel on the ground. Some 4,000 aircraft had to be landed immediately and there was considerable confusion about the extent of the attacks. He described emotional phone calls with with family member to tell them he was safe. The 9/11 crashes marked a pivotal point in our history. Colonel Kelly had a 34 year career as a ballistic missile expert and arms negotiator and is a veteran of the Gulf War.

Ten students from Southwest Middle School presented their Future Cities project on April 15. Students work on a year long class to design a city for a national competition in Washington D.C. Teacher, Danielle Baker, and engineering consultant, Chris Storm, provided guidance and resources through the year for the student team. They chose the city Rio de Janeiro and the problem of food insecurity for their project. The competition required an essay, a city narrative, construction of a model, a computer design and a live presentation to the judges. Considerable planning was required, as well as research, budgeting and construction. Their efforts earned an award for project management. Students enjoyed their time in Washington and enjoyed the work, sharing interests and making friends

Shannon Hodges is the Curator of Education and Community Events at Watkins Museum of History and her job is to make engaging with the museum a fun learning experience for youth. She is responsible for conducting field trips, tours and outreach. Most third graders in the community tour the museum and visits may be targeted to specific interests. This includes visits to historical sites like Grover Barn, the Miller Homestead and Oak Hill Cemetery. A course is offered on the operation of the museum and participants learn about working with primary and secondary sources. A classroom learning collaborative provides an opportunity for hands on learning with the construction of dioramas and other projects. Shannon also works with a student advisory group of 8th-12th graders.