Upcoming lecture explores the social potential of artificial intelligence

Kerrie Holley, a pioneering force in technology and innovation, will headline the 2024 Eugene H. Fram Signature Lecture in Critical Thinking at RIT, offering insights on one of the more critical topics of our time: artificial intelligence.

Hosted by RIT’s Division of Academic Affairs, Holley’s public talk is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, in Ingle Auditorium, Student Alumni Union. Admission is free and the lecture is open to the community, but registration is recommended for his speech titled, “Critical Thinking: Is AI Nothing More than Machine Learning or Existential Threat?” A reception at RIT’s Fireside Lounge follows. Register online to attend the lecture.

In addition, RIT will host an informal conversation with Holley on AI’s possible impact on careers and employment on Monday, Sept. 23 at 2 p.m., inside Wallace Library. That event is geared toward RIT students, faculty, and staff.

Holley has been involved in the tech and business world for over 40 years, with broad experience in artificial intelligence, healthcare, cloud architecture, and leading-edge technologies. He was IBM’s first Black Distinguished Engineer and later became the tech giant’s second Black Fellow, breaking barriers in the tech industry while holding over 30 patents. Holley later earned executive roles with IBM, Google, Cisco, and Optum. Holley was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2023 and has authored four books. His latest book, co-authored by Manish Mathur titled LLMs and Generative AI for Healthcare, was released this past August.

During his presentation, Holley will discuss the technical and social impacts of artificial intelligence. Thought-provoking questions will include: AI is often given human-like qualities, but what does that mean for humans? Is AI just advanced technology, or could it pose a serious threat to our future as a species? Are there hidden abilities in the large AI models we see today, and is the idea of a super-intelligent AI based on facts or science-fiction theories? How can we harness this technology to benefit society? And how can we augment student and professional technical skills to work in beneficial ways with AI?

“The RIT Fram Applied Critical Thinking chairship and initiative has been building for over a decade now,” said Jennifer Schneider, Eugene Fram Chair and a professor in the Department of Civil Engineering Technology, Environmental Management & Safety at RIT. “I can think of no more important subject at this moment to explore for RIT and our greater community than the impact that artificial intelligence will have on our futures. And I can think of no better person to talk about how we harness and manage that AI than Kerrie.”

The Eugene H. Fram Chair in Applied Critical Thinking was funded in 2011 by Mr. Henry Navas, RIT alumnus and former university trustee, to honor his professor, Eugene H. Fram. Dr. Fram was the impetus for RIT’s efforts in the application of critical thinking. Gene Fram is a Professor Emeritus of Marketing who retired from RIT in 2008 after 51 years of teaching in the Saunders College of Business. He is also known for his expertise in the study of brick and mortar and the beginnings of internet retailing, nonprofit and corporate governance, and advertising. Dr. Fram served as the J. Warren McClure Professor of Marketing, and Marketing department chair at RIT. Gene received the 1997 Eisenhart Award for Outstanding Teaching and the 2008 RIT Presidential Medallion.