Mount Tamalpais College launched an engaging guest lecture Q&A series this fall, hosting speakers with expertise in astronomy, entrepreneurship, physics, literature, data analytics, trauma medicine, and more.
On October 28, students, faculty, and guests packed Education’s B-building to hear guest lecturer James Dyett, head of Platform Sales at OpenAI, discuss the implications of artificial intelligence. Dyett delved into the latest advancements in AI and its economic impact.
“I am always so impressed with the students at MTC,” said Dyett. “I was struck by their depth of knowledge around AI and excellent questions, particularly since they haven’t had a chance to use ChatGPT yet. It speaks to the overall curiosity of the group and the program.”
One of Mount Tamalpais College’s goals for the lecture series is to influence public discussions of politics, policy, and civic responsibility. The College hopes to provide a place where conversations can be found and solutions are discovered.
Guest lecturer Nigel Hatton
“Associate professor of literature and philosophy at the University of California, Merced, and past faculty committee member at Mt. Tamalpais College. He is a co-author of the book Departures: An Introduction to Critical Refugee Studies (University of California Press, 2022) and has written articles on topics such as literature, philosophy, and human rights for The James Baldwin Review, Peace Review: A Journal of Social Justice, A-Line: A Journal of Progressive Thought, Kierkegaard Research: Sources, Reception and Resources, and other publications.”
Another guest lecturer, Amy Slater, who teaches at the Goldman School of Public Policy and the UC Berkeley School of Public Health, led attendees in exercises and simulations designed to grow and practice negotiation skills. “The students were eager to share their stories of successful and less-successful negotiations they’d seen or in which they’d participated,” she said. Slater’s lecture was tailored to personal growth and professional success.
American democracy and the 2024 Election
“I was impressed with the enthusiasm and engagement the students demonstrated,” Slater continued. “Express negotiations aren’t necessarily a ‘sexy’ topic. Yet the participants were interested in hearing what I had to say and willing to go along with the interactive exercises I’d planned.”
MTC’s Development and Communications Manager, Carson Temple, attended many lectures and was inspired by the innovative ideas discussed in James Dyett’s lecture on AI’s potential applications. “I believe the lecture series benefited both the guests and incarcerated individuals by providing a platform for intellectual exchange, exposure to new ideas and interesting topics, and a chance to engage with the College in a new way. I believe the lectures created an enriching experience for everyone who attended.”
The series began on September 23 and will conclude on December 2 with a lecture from Nigel Hatton.
