AI for Regular People (OOL)
Osher Online | Registration opens Tuesday, February 3, 2026 10:00 AM
Back by popular demand, this updated course offers a clear, engaging introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it’s rapidly transforming our world. From self-driving cars to chatbots and precision medicine, we will explore how AI works, where it’s headed, and what it means for society. No tech experience needed—just curiosity! With fresh examples and timely updates, participants will gain a solid understanding of the opportunities and challenges AI presents today.
THURSDAYS, APRIL 2 THROUGH MAY 7 - Each live session (via Zoom) is 90 minutes
Thursday, April 2
Thursday, April 9
Thursday, April 16
Thursday, April 23
Thursday, April 30
Thursday, May 7
Class schedule: Live lectures will take place via ZOOM
As this class is delivered by the National Resource Center for OLLIs (NRC) at Northwestern University, you will receive a welcome email from osheronline@northwestern.edu. The email will include your credentials (username & password) as well as a hyperlink to the Osher Online Website through which you will access your course website. Please save the link once you receive it. Multi-session courses will use this same link each week.
Hod Lipson, Ph.D.
This course will be co-taught by Dr. Hod Lipson, Professor of Engineering and Data Science at Columbia University and author and technology analyst Melba Kurman. At Columbia, Hod directs the Creative Machines Lab, where he and his students design and build artificially intelligent robots that can make new robots, paint original art, and physically express human-like emotions. Hod is one of the world's most-cited academic roboticists and his playful, innovative approach to artificial intelligence has been featured in the New York Times, Quanta, NPR, and TED. In the past, Melba worked at Microsoft, Cornell University and at a variety of technology start ups. Melba and Hod are frequently invited to speak about technology issues and are the co-authors of two popular technology books, “Driverless” and “Fabricated: the promise and peril of 3D printing.” They divide their time between New York City and the Berkshires.
Melba Kurmar
This course will be co-taught by Dr. Hod Lipson, Professor of Engineering and Data Science at Columbia University and author and technology analyst Melba Kurman. At Columbia, Hod directs the Creative Machines Lab, where he and his students design and build artificially intelligent robots that can make new robots, paint original art, and physically express human-like emotions. Hod is one of the world's most-cited academic roboticists and his playful, innovative approach to artificial intelligence has been featured in the New York Times, Quanta, NPR, and TED. In the past, Melba worked at Microsoft, Cornell University and at a variety of technology start ups. Melba and Hod are frequently invited to speak about technology issues and are the co-authors of two popular technology books, “Driverless” and “Fabricated: the promise and peril of 3D printing.” They divide their time between New York City and the Berkshires.