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[Photo credit: Maya Rosental Saporito]
[Photo credit: Maya Rosental Saporito]
[Photo credit: Maya Rosental Saporito]
[Photo credit: Maya Rosental Saporito]
[Photo credit: Maya Rosental Saporito]
[Photo credit: Maya Rosental Saporito]
[Photo credit: Maya Rosental Saporito]
[Photo credit: Maya Rosental Saporito]
The Pasadena and California Institute of Technology communities converged on Leap Day (Feb. 29) at the Athenaeum for Caltech Y’s Winter Friends Dinner, an enlightening fireside chat with distinguished AI experts Dr. Karina Montilla Edmonds and Dr. Mario Munich, both of whom are California Institute of Technology alumni.
The organizers said the dinner, attended by just under 90 guests and over 20 sponsored students, fostered an intimate and informative atmosphere.
“It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces of Friends, former students, and current students,” Caltech Y Executive Director Athena Castro said. “This was a true showing of the Caltech Y community.”
Caltech Y Board Member Manisha Kapasiawala, a PhD Bioengineering candidate at California Institute of Technology, moderated the chat.
Dr. Munich, Chief Technology Officer at Embodied, Inc., emphasized the transformative potential of artificial intelligence, likening it to a potent tool capable of either empowering communities or causing harm and highlighting the critical role of responsible implementation.
“AI is just a tool, like nuclear power that can power cities or destroy communities,” he said. “It is all about how we apply it.”
Dr. Montilla Edmonds is SAP’s Senior Vice President and Global Head of Academies and University Alliances. She said human intervention continues to play an essential role in guiding the ethical development of AI and stressed the imperative of continually scrutinizing and challenging AI systems to mitigate biases and ensure equitable outcomes.
“We need human interference in AI,” she said. “Humans will never become obsolete.”
In addition to the engaging discussion, Caltech Y also unveiled the campaign launch of the Global Perspectives Fund, a new fundraising initiative that will ensure students of all backgrounds have access to international academic and research opportunities. Funds will support California Institute of Technology’s Alternative Spring Break (ASB), the Washington D.C. Science and Policy Trip, Global Policy Trip, and other programs.
Catherine Ko, Student Executive Committee Vice President, spoke about the values of perspective, leadership, adventure, civic engagement, and service, and about the significance of networking and mentorship.
“I was actually able to secure this meeting with NASA due to my connection with Dr. Laurie Leshin from a previous Y dinner,” Ko said.
Dr. Leshin is the current Director at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory – the first woman to serve in that position – and is Vice President and Bren Professor of Geochemistry and Planetary Science at California Institute of Technology.
The Winter Friends Dinner also underscored the Caltech Y’s dedication to nurturing responsible, globally-minded citizens and fostering scientific innovation in the community.
Established in 1916, Caltech Y is an independent nonprofit affiliated with California Institute of Technology that empowers students to become responsible citizens of the world. The Friends of the Caltech Y are the primary support group of the Caltech Y.
For more information about Caltech Y, visit www.caltechy.org or follow @CaltechY on Instagram and Facebook and @Caltech-Y on LinkedIn.
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