Hybrid 

This is a discussion group usually held on the first and third Fridays of each month, covering local, national, and world news. The discussion provides an opportunity to share your observations and opinions on the news and to learn from other participants.

Articles of interest are distributed among the group by email in the week before each meeting, and topics to discuss are selected by the group at the beginning of each meeting.

March 6, 20, 2026

April 3, 17, 2026

May 1, 15, 2026

June 5, 2026

10 am - 11:30 am

Paul Mullin is the facilitator for this discussion group.

Online

This discussion group is held on the first and third Fridays of each month. It covers local, national, and world news. The discussion provides an opportunity to share observations and opinions on the news and to learn from other participants.

Articles of interest are distributed among the group by email in the week before each meeting, and discussion topics are selected by the group at the beginning of each meeting.

June 19, 2026

July 3, 17, 2026

August 7, 21, 2026

September 4, 18, 2026

October 2, 2026

10 am - 11:30 am

Paul Mullin is the facilitator for this discussion group.

Hybrid

Intelligence for the Rest of Us: Hype, Hope, and the Future of AI will focus on and explain the current state of AI, address claims (true or otherwise) made by large tech companies, and how major media outlets report on the technology. We will also explore the reality of using AI technology every day and how it is actually shaping the general public.

Part One will provide an overview of the radical increase in large language model-based AI models, the marketing strategies applied to promote AI products and services, and the future-focused claims made by tech giants like OpenAI, Anthropic, and other major players in the AI industry. Finally, we will examine how major news media outlets and platforms have skewed public perception of AI capability and define the current state of AI technology.

Part Two will detail ways in which users can be more aware of AI content, access resources and tools for cutting through the noise of AI news reporting, and garner clarity and reassurance on the probable trajectory of AI, its products, and its uses.

Please note: This presentation will include discussion surrounding political content and misinformation. These topics will only be discussed insofar as they apply to the AI industry.

Dates: August 14 and 28, 2026

Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Location: Education Center, room 112

Tyler Provencher is the Program Coordinator for Greater Franklin Digital Literacy - a free community tech support program across Franklin County. Tyler's background includes a Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology from the University of Maine at Farmington. He has hands-on experience with smartphones, laptops, tablets, and desktop computers, as well as participation in virtual software and hardware events and conferences.

Through his work at Greater Franklin Digital Literacy, Tyler aims to provide practical, actionable, and rational technology education to the broader Franklin County community.