From chess-playing automata to today’s headline-making chatbots, artificial intelligence has gone from science fiction to everyday reality—but what’s behind the buzz? This fast-paced, one-session seminar traces AI’s surprising history, introduces the visionaries who shaped it, and demystifies key concepts like supervised learning, reinforcement learning, and large language models. Using vivid visuals, real-world demos, and plain-English explanations, we’ll explore how machines learn, why they sometimes fail, and how AI is transforming society—from self-driving cars to digital art. No math or programming experience is needed—just curiosity! You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how AI works, practical tips for navigating an AI-powered world, and insight into where the technology may be headed next. Join us and go from zero to AI hero in just 90 illuminating minutes.

Rodrigo Pena, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences specializing in mathematical modeling, computational neuroscience, and machine learning. With over 12 years of research experience, he serves on the board of the Organization for Computational Neuroscience, co-organizes the Latin American School on Computational Neuroscience, and teaches popular courses such as AI Applications in Biology and Brain Modeling and Simulation at FAU.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture.