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: TBD 

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.

Hybrid

Let’s meet and share tales about our mutual experiences in health care. At our ages, it seems like a prudent thing to do. I have stories to tell (the good, the bad, the amusing) that may also provide some education in how to navigate the health care system. 

Date: August 17 and 31, 2026

Time: 1:00 pm-2:30 pm

Location: Ed Ctr, room 114

John Henkel is a nurse who has been lucky to ride the wave of the nursing revolution from the days of starched nursing caps to color-coded scrubs.

John is eternally grateful for his time as a nurse. He can’t imagine having done anything else. He has worked as a nurse in a variety of roles and locations before ending up in Wilton.  

In-Person

Franklin County Jail currently houses about 30 inmates.  It has several programs to help prevent recidivism and help inmates re-enter society.

Date: August 24, 2026

Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Location: Franklin County Jail

Major Hart Daley is the jail administrator.