SHI LECTURE TO EXPLORE POTENTIAL OF GENERATIVE AI

Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) will host another lecture today as part of its fall series, spotlighting leaders in emerging technologies, Indigenous knowledge, art and cultural innovation.

The event will feature Auryan Ratliff, director of Creative and Emerging Technologies at Arizona State University (ASU). His lecture, “Unlocking the Potential of Generative AI: An Introduction and Practical Guide,” will explore the world of artificial intelligence (AI), a groundbreaking technology revolutionizing creative industries, education and business.

Ratliff will provide a high-level overview of generative AI, detailing its unique capabilities in areas such as content creation and productivity enhancement, while also highlighting how it differs from other forms of AI and machine learning.

The lecturer will also address essential topics such as data quality, bias and ethical considerations in working with AI, offering a nuanced view of the complexities surrounding its use and implementation. Through real-world case studies, he will demonstrate how generative AI can be applied effectively across various sectors.

Ratliff has spent nearly a decade leading teams in developing digital tools at ASU, focusing on virtual reality, augmented reality, AI and other emerging technologies. His innovative solutions have garnered widespread recognition, with projects featured by Meta and Google. Through his work, Ratliff has fostered a culture of creativity and problem-solving that has made a lasting impact on both education and technology.

The lecture is scheduled for noon, Monday, Sept. 30, in Shuká Hít within the Walter Soboleff Building, 105 Heritage Way, in Juneau. The event will be livestreamed and posted on SHI’s YouTube channel.

Sealaska Heritage Institute is a private nonprofit founded in 1980 to perpetuate and enhance Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian cultures of Southeast Alaska. Its goal is to promote cultural diversity and cross-cultural understanding through public services and events. SHI also conducts scientific and public policy research that promotes Alaska Native arts, cultures, history and education statewide. The institute is governed by a Board of Trustees and guided by a Council of Traditional Scholars, a Native Artist Committee and a Southeast Regional Language Committee.

CONTACT: Kathy Dye, SHI Communications and Publications Deputy Director, 907.321.4636, kathy.dye@sealaska.com.

Caption: Auryan Ratliff. Photo courtesy of Arizona State University.