Technology User Group (TUG) Discussions for all users at all levels via hybrid meetings (in-person and Zoom) after the plenary meeting, at about 11:45 a.m. (first and fourth Tuesdays of the month).
- May 5 – We will explore Prediction Markets.
Time permitting we will try again to listen to Neil deGrasse Tyson's advice on "How to Tell What's Real on the Internet."
- May 26 - ASI (Artificial Super Intelligence) A provocative discussion.
Timely Topics Discussion in-person and via Zoom, with participation encouraged from all in attendance. Around 11:45 a.m. on the second Tuesday of the month.
- May 12 – The topic will be “Immigration.” Rather than talk about illegal immigration, which receives a lot of attention, let’s discuss legal immigration. How did we get to where we are, who benefits from the current framework, and do current quotas serve America’s needs? What policies do you favor going forward?
Trips Scheduled (For Old Guard members and their guests)
Chair - Pete Bolton.
Walkers Group walks or hikes are once again feasible. Chair - Tom Leane
May Program Chair - Gary Murakami
- May 5 - Image Creative Outlet and Pursuit – from Photography to AI Image Creation – Speaker Gary Murakami will focus on exploration of AI image creation in the last few years, including early stages from Adobe Firefly, through experimenting with many websites, to the current state of the art with NightCafe (the “AI Art Generator for AI artists, enthusiasts and content creators”). Many images will be used to give an overview of the creation process, composition, challenges, community, multiple image generation models, video, and additional AI tools. Gary, a member of Old Guard, spent the bulk of his career working as a computer scientist and software engineer at AT&T Bell Labs and finally as a VP of Engineering. [video to appear]
- May 12 - The American Revolution – Old Guard member Allen Hamilton will lead a hybrid presentation and group discussion. Mr. Hamilton has read a number of books about the revolution's leaders and the military campaigns. Topics will include: politics; British and colonists; logistics of war; key battles won and lost; and Nathanael Greene, quartermaster and head of the Southern Command. Allen took early retirement from Exxon to become an independent investment consultant. He has served as president of the Association for Advancement of Cost Engineering, and chair of the International Cost Engineering Council. Lately he has become an avid student of American history. [In-person and on Zoom – For access: info@SummitOldGuard.org]
- May 19 - How Technology Is Reinventing Finance: What Everyone Should Know About the Next Era of Money –Finance has entered an era where technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrencies and advanced data analytics are transforming how money is managed, invested, and transferred. Our speaker Ben Lowe will explain the basic ideas behind financial technology (fintech) and how these innovations are reshaping banking, markets, and global commerce. Ben specializes in building tech teams that deliver commercial results. He founded Lighthouse Technology, an AI consultancy, and led IBM’s AI ecosystem where he helped partners turn new tech into practical business solutions. [In-person and on Zoom]
- May 26 - How the Brain Connects to Reality – Speaker John Tomaszewski will explore the profound biological and philosophical bridge between the objective world and our subjective experience. He will examine how the brain doesn't merely "record" reality like a camera, but rather constructs it through a complex process of predictive coding and sensory integration. By deconstructing the neural pathways that translate raw physical data into the vivid landscape of our thoughts and perceptions, we can better understand the unique mental frameworks that define our professional and personal lives. John was long employed by Dun & Bradstreet in computers and engineering and served as director of Marketing Information Systems. Since joining Old Guard he has become deeply interested in AI and using AI chat-bots to explore the mysteries of the world. [In-person and on Zoom]
June Birthday emcee: Frank Souder
June Program Chair - Mel Vigman
- June 2 – The Precision Revolution in Cancer – Speaker Dr. Usman Shah is the medical director of GI Oncology at Overlook Hospital, Phase 1 trial programs. He will speak on the precision revolution in cancer. His talk will include a look at the newest tools doctors use to extend and save lives. [In-person and on Zoom]
- June 9 – AI, Making It Intelligible – Our speaker David Roscoe is the chair of Hastings Center Advisory Council, an independent bioethics research institute. Mr. Roscoe will cover the many social, economic, geopolitical, and ethical issues created by AI as a transformative technology. [In-person and on Zoom]
- June 16 – Navigating the Healthcare Maze – Speakers Kiran Mulgund and Nancy DiGangi RN will give guidance regarding the many transitions of care, such as hospital to rehab, home health, etc. Kiran is the owner and executive director of Care Builders, and Nancy is a clinical liaison for Journey Hospice, [In-person and on Zoom]
- June 23 – Preserving Brain Health – Guest speaker Arnold Eiser MD will cover nutritional, environmental, and other factors specific to brain health, Dr Eiser is a retired professor of medicine at Drexel University, author of multiple scientific papers, and is currently adjunct professor of transitional therapeutics at the University of Pennsylvania. [In-person and on Zoom]
- June 30 – Great Swamp Celebrates America’s 250th – Randi Emmer will tell us of red, white and blue birds, their color origin based on native Indian folklore, and the land at the time of the Revolutionary War. Randi is the outreach chair and community engagement chair of the Friends of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge and holds other notable positions. She has spoken previously at Old Guard most recently in 2024 [In-person and on Zoom]
July Birthday emcee: Tom Mulligan
