Episode 16: Understanding AI with George Liu

Forever Curious: An Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Podcast

The idea of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been around for quite a while, but lately, AI seems to be all anyone can talk about. And not all the talk is positive: is it taking jobs, endangering privacy, and stealing creative work? Or is it a faithful and diligent servant, able to take the drudgery out of life and allow us to enjoy life more fully?

AI is already so deeply woven into our modern lives, and it became part of the daily fabric of life without most of us really understanding how it was happening. This has left many people nervous and reluctant to embrace what might become a very useful and powerful tool. And that’s too bad, says George Liu.

George Liu is a former Boeing exec and CMO of Hong Kong Airlines. Since retiring, he’s focused on developing expertise in subjects that intrigue him, like AI. In January of 2025, he delivered a popular lecture on AI for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Washington.

In this episode, hear some of that lecture, followed by his conversation with host Charlene Joy of Forever Curious. Together, they explore not only the history of AI but also how AI can impact healthcare, communication, even movement and aging. AI may have some particular benefits for us as we age, making it even more interesting for seniors.

George and Charlene also look into some of the privacy and ethical concerns that have been raised about AI and how we can all stay informed on how AI works and how it is (or isn’t!) regulated.

We hope you’ll take a listen and consider enrolling in a course that’s of interest to you! Learn more about the University of Washington’s OLLI program at www.osher.uw.edu.