February 19: Smart Machines, Human Choices: Navigating the Age of AI

fraud, assists doctors, generates images and essays, and increasingly shapes decisions that affect our communities and daily lives. Yet despite its profound impact, important questions remain: What exactly is AI? How does it work? What is it genuinely good at—and where does it fall short?

This non-technical talk explains AI in accessible terms for a general audience, clarifying how AI systems learn from data and why recent developments, such as generative AI, have progressed so quickly in both capability and public visibility. It explores how AI is being used across business, healthcare, education, media, and government—and why these systems are both powerful tools and imperfect instruments.

Alongside the benefits—greater efficiency, scientific progress, expanded access to information, and new forms of innovation—the presentation addresses pressing civic concerns, including misinformation and deepfakes, bias in automated decisions, privacy and surveillance, workforce disruption, and the growing concentration of technological power. The talk offers a balanced perspective grounded in technical understanding and democratic responsibility.

As AI becomes embedded in public and private life, informed and engaged citizens matter more than ever. Attendees will gain practical insight into what to watch for, what questions to ask of institutions and technology providers, and how human judgment, public policy, and shared values will shape the future of intelligent machines.

Reza Rejaie is a Professor and Head of the Computer Science Department at the University of Oregon and a founding Associate Director of the Oregon Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (OCCoE). With over three decades of experience in networking and cybersecurity, Professor Rejaie has contributed to both academic research and real-world practice and has worked closely with public and private partners. He led the creation and implementation of a vision to turn the University of Oregon into a regional hub for cybersecurity research and education.

In his current roles, he leads statewide initiatives focused on strengthening cybersecurity education, workforce development, and awareness, including programs for high school teachers and students across Oregon. Professor Rejaie is a Fellow of the IEEE and a Distinguished Member of the ACM, honors recognizing sustained and significant contributions to computing research.