Noggin Keynote: AI and the Brain
WHAT: “Your brain learns what your brain does” – presentation and workshop by Bill Griesar and Jeff Leake of Northwest Noggin at the Rural Community College Alliance Conference.
WHERE: Senatobia, Mississippi – more details on the way!
WHEN: Wednesday, September 16 – Friday, September 18, 2026; workshop to kick off the conference scheduled for Wednesday (9/16), Time TBD
Artificial intelligence (AI) is ubiquitous, and people now use Large Language Models (LLMs) every day. Sometimes we use AI intentionally (for example, we might type a specific request for a cover letter into ChatGPT) and in many cases we use it unintentionally (e.g., we read an “AI summary” of a Google or DuckDuckGo search). AI uses algorithms to seek patterns in huge amounts of data, and uses these patterns to make predictions. There are situations where this technology is helpful, and we’ll discover some fascinating applications. Our brains, in contrast, learn from lived experience, forming predictive networks through trial and error. These experiences are critical, because brains learn what brains do, so if you use Claude or ChatGPT to write a paper, or complete any other assignment, your brain does not learn anything more than how to format an effective query. AI removes human engagement, and the useful mistakes and often challenging journeys we make to acquire skills and create knowledge. It also relies on stolen work from the brains of others, and is remarkably costly for the economy and environment. We’ll explore neuroscience research on the consequences for brain health and demonstrate the benefits of making something ourselves.
Bring your own creativity, enthusiasm and brains!
The theme of this year’s conference is “The New Workforce: Accelerating Productivity for the Future.” Much of the discussion will focus on how AI may reshape the way work is done moving forward.
DRAFT SLIDES (*.pdf): NW Noggin_AI_and_Brain_5_2026
DRAFT SLIDES (*.ppt): NW Noggin_AI_and_Brain_5_2026
STAY TUNED: More details on the way!