Lake Forest Residents Praise Chance to Engage With AI

By Alexandra Moreno

Last fall, something unique happened at Lake Forest College.

At the Krebs Center for the Humanities, residents of Lake Forest gathered as participants to engage with one of the most transformative forces of our time: artificial intelligence (AI).

Not your typical school building: The Krebs Center is a stunning spot to learn about AI.

The four-week course, Artificial Intelligence and Everyday Life: Understanding, Engaging, and Applying AI in the Real World, was hosted by the College’s Office of Community Engagement. It was practical. It was timely. And it resonated.

Participants praised the opportunity to explore a rapidly evolving topic in a thoughtful, welcoming setting, one that balanced rigorous content with open conversation.

“I thought the entire program was perfectly created from start to finish,” Elizabeth Pruett said. “There was tremendous interest in the program. The venue was phenomenal, and the consistent schedule of the evening worked seamlessly." Added Susan DePree, “It was a real gift to the community.”

Set to launch again starting Tuesday, March 31 at the Krebs Center, an Italian villa a mile or so from the main campus, the four-week course invites community members to explore how AI functions in everyday life — not from a place of hype or fear, but from understanding and application. Participants engage with real-world examples, practical tools, and thoughtful discussion about what it means to live and work in an AI-driven world.

This spring’s course is designed in a lecture-style format, co-led by Dr. Davis Schneiderman and Dr. Benjamin Zeller. Each evening also includes ample opportunity for open-ended discussion, allowing attendees to ask questions, share perspectives, and connect with one another. The professors leading the course see this work as part of a broader commitment to create opportunities to engage with the college, ask questions about the content, and connect attendees.

The success of the AI series reflects something larger. Through its Lifelong Learning initiative, the Office of Community Engagement is committed to strengthening the relationship between the College and the City of Lake Forest. The mission is simple but powerful: bring the College and the Lake Forest community together.

There is always something happening on campus, and programs like the Lifelong Learning series create something deeper than activity. They create dialogue. They allow residents to engage directly with faculty expertise, spark discussion across generations and professions, and reinforce the idea that learning does not end at graduation.

As AI continues to shape our world, Lake Forest College’s commitment to meaningful community engagement ensures that residents won’t be left behind.

Beyond the AI series, the Office of Community Engagement offers a full calendar of events, from lectures and workshops to performances and campus tours. This gives residents countless ways to connect with the College.

In Lake Forest, learning extends beyond the classroom. Programs like the Lifelong Learning series invite residents and students alike to explore new ideas, share perspectives, and build community.

Explore the full schedule here.