Explore the power of artificial intelligence in everyday life — join Lake Forest College for an exciting new community engagement series.
Artificial Intelligence and Everyday Life: Understanding, Engaging, and Applying AI in the Real World
October 14 - November 18
Tuesdays, 6-8:30 p.m.
Lake Forest College invites community members and alumni to take part in a dynamic six-week series exploring how artificial intelligence is transforming the world around us.
Held at the historic Krebs Center for the Humanities and led by Dr. Davis Schneiderman, this series will feature engaging presentations, interactive discussions, and practical insights. Each week will highlight a new topic and begin with a social reception featuring food and refreshments.
The series will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.beginning on October 14. This includes a 45 minute reception where participants will socialize and have the opportunity to meet a member of the College's Senior Leadership Team.
Registration fee: $600 for the 6-week series.
Priority registration deadline: September 26, 2025.
Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions, but full attendance is not required.
Series details at a glance
When
Six part series held on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Dates: Oct. 14, Oct. 21, Oct. 28, Nov. 4, Nov. 11, Nov. 18
Where
Krebs Center for the Humanities located near Lake Forest College.
Who should attend
Open to all community members and alumni — no prior experience with AI required.
Cost
$600 for the 6-week series. Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions, but full attendance is not required.
Download the series poster (pdf)
Learn more about the series
Artificial Intelligence is no longer a distant future—it’s already embedded in the tools we use, the decisions we make, and the ethical challenges we face. Whether you’re a small business owner curious about AI tools, a lifelong learner seeking to understand its societal impact, or someone wondering how AI is changing the world around us, this six-week course will meet you where you are and help you get up to speed on this new technology.
Instructor
Led by Dr. Davis Sschneiderman—co-designer of the AI Studies curriculum at Lake Forest College, director of the HUMAN grant on AI and ethics, and a recognized speaker on AI ethics and education—this course offers a thoughtful, accessible, real-world introduction to artificial intelligence. Each week, you will focus on a distinct theme, and you’ll gain a broad foundation in AI history, concepts, and ethics with practical workshops where you’ll explore how to use AI tools and more in your everyday life or business.
What you'll learn
- A user-friendly introduction to how AI works (no math or programming required)
- Key debates around AI ethics, misinformation, automation, and bias
- How AI is reshaping industries, from creativity, healthcare, education, and more
- Practical experience with leading AI tools for writing, image creation, communication, and productivity
- Real-world case studies on how individuals and businesses are adapting to AI
Optional final project
Apply what you’ve learned to a personal or professional project—whether that’s writing a business plan with AI, generating marketing materials, developing a teaching strategy, or simply automating your to-do list.
Why take this course?
Because AI is here and knowing how to use it wisely is now part of being an informed citizen. This course strikes a balance between thoughtful critique and hands-on experimentation. It’s designed for thinkers, creators, entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about how to live and work more thoughtfully with emerging technology.
Attendees will also receive priority invitations to select AI-related events at Lake Forest College, including:
- Kevin Roose, New York Times Technology Specialist September 25, 2025
- Ruha Benjamin, Princeton sociologist - February 23, 2026
To learn more about the community engagement series, please reach out to:
Dr. Davis Schneiderman, Executive Director for the Krebs Center for Humanities, dschneid@lakeforest.edu
Jackie Slaats, Vice President for Career Advancement and Community Engagement, slaats@lakeforest.edu