Summer Lecture Series 2026

Wednesdays, 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM*
July 8 - August 12, 2026
Lebanon Opera House, Lebanon, NH
OR YouTube Livestream

*August 12 session will end at 12:00 PM.

HOW IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TRANSFORMING AMERICA?

This year marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, a document drafted during a gathering of delegates from each American colony, who debated principles and ideas related to a new phase of government and self-determination. The Declaration states in its second paragraph, “We hold these truths to be self-evident…” 

This year is also the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Dartmouth summer research project, in which a small group of scientists gathered to study the conjecture that every aspect of learning or any other feature of intelligence can, in principle, be so precisely described that a machine can be built to simulate it. It was during this conference that the term “Artificial Intelligence” (AI) was first used.  

As our nation speeds into a new era of technological advancement, we are struggling with questions about truth and the influence of AI. No longer confined to research labs or Silicon Valley startups, AI has become a ubiquitous partner in our daily lives, summarizing information, generating images and text, supporting scientific breakthroughs, assisting with legal and medical research, and accelerating problem-solving in fields as diverse as climate science, economics, engineering, and the arts. Conversely, the high energy and water demands of its data centers, the fear of job displacement, ethical concerns regarding creative properties, and the potential erosion of privacy through surveillance and information access are issues that generate a sense of unease as this technology embeds itself deeper into our daily lives. Of utmost concern is the fact that AI has also become a tool used in the proliferation of disinformation and “deep fakes,” which can subvert our understanding of reality. What happens when truth is no longer “self-evident?”

AI has the potential to become a practical tool worth understanding, as well as a confounding puzzle when it comes to detecting truth. This year’s Summer Lecture Series will feature presentations by six experts across a wide range of fields, who will provide clarity, context, and confidence to anyone—novice and expert alike—in seeking to understand the benefits and challenges of Artificial Intelligence.

Session 1, July 8

What Can the Declaration of Independence Teach Us About Artificial Intelligence?

Speaker: Brinnae Bent

Session 2, July 15

Can AI Think Like a Doctor?

Speaker: Adam Rodman

Session 3, July 22

AI: Too Artificial? Too Intelligent? Too Much Energy?

Speaker: Dan W. Reicher

Session 4, July 29

What Will Be the Economic Impacts of AI?

Speaker: Patrick Wheeler

Session 5, August 5

Is AI Leading Us Toward a More Dangerous World Disorder?

Speaker: Michèle Flournoy

Session 6, August 12

How Can We Build Human Morality Into AI?

Speaker: Walter Sinnott-Armstrong

Registration

Pricing for members and non-members is listed below. Choose your preferred attendance format and select a registration option — join us for the full series or register for individual sessions!

Students and some educators qualify for a special discounted rate. Visit our FAQ page or contact the Osher at Dartmouth office at (603) 646-0154 for more information.

Series Ticket Cost:

$135 per person (members)

$165 per person (non-members)

Single Session Ticket Cost (per session):

$35 per person (members)

$45 per person (non-members)

IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE
Session	Member	Non-Member
Full Series — All 6 Sessions	Register	Register
Session 1: July 8 What Can the Declaration of Independence Teach Us About AI? Brinnae Bent	Register	Register
Session 2: July 15 Can AI Think Like a Doctor? Adam Rodman	Register	Register
Session 3: July 22 AI: Too Artificial? Too Intelligent? Too Much Energy? Dan W. Reicher	Register	Register
Session 4: July 29 What Will Be the Economic Impacts of AI? Patrick Wheeler	Register	Register
Session 5: August 5 Is AI Leading Us Toward a More Dangerous World Disorder? Michèle Flournoy	Register	Register
Session 6: August 12 How Can We Build Human Morality Into AI? Walter Sinnott-Armstrong	Register	Register

...

LIVESTREAM ATTENDANCE
Session	Member	Non-Member
Full Series — All 6 Sessions	Register	Register
Session 1: July 8 What Can the Declaration of Independence Teach Us About AI? Brinnae Bent	Register	Register
Session 2: July 15 Can AI Think Like a Doctor? Adam Rodman	Register	Register
Session 3: July 22 AI: Too Artificial? Too Intelligent? Too Much Energy? Dan W. Reicher	Register	Register
Session 4: July 29 What Will Be the Economic Impacts of AI? Patrick Wheeler	Register	Register
Session 5: August 5 Is AI Leading Us Toward a More Dangerous World Disorder? Michèle Flournoy	Register	Register
Session 6: August 12 How Can We Build Human Morality Into AI? Walter Sinnott-Armstrong	Register	Register

...

We thank the following sponsors for their support of this year's series: