Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Muskegon Community College’s 2026 Winter Lecture Series will continue Monday, April 6, with a presentation on the growing importance of transparency and ethics in artificial intelligence. 

Dr. Nikola Banovic, associate professor of computer science and engineering at the University of Michigan, will present “Explainable and Responsible AI.” The lecture is free and open to the public. 

During the presentation, Banovic will explore how modern artificial intelligence systems can be made more transparent, understandable and ethically grounded for a broad range of users—not just technical experts. Drawing on his research in human-computer interaction and explainable AI, he will examine the challenges of traditional “black-box” AI models and highlight approaches that help people interpret, evaluate and trust AI-driven decisions in real-world settings. 

The talk will also cover key concepts in explainability and responsible AI, including how to communicate why AI systems make certain decisions, ways to assess trustworthiness, and the role of human-AI interaction in improving AI literacy. Attendees will gain insight into the social, ethical and technical considerations involved in building AI systems that are both powerful and accountable. 

“Understanding both the benefits and the limitations of artificial intelligence is essential as this technology continues to evolve,” said MCC faculty member Dr. Andy Wible. “Events like this help ensure our community is prepared to engage with AI in thoughtful, informed ways.” 

The MCC Lecture Series brings experts from a variety of fields to campus to share knowledge and spark conversation on timely topics. Recordings of past lectures are available online at the MCC Lecture Series archive. 

• What: MCC Lecture Series – “Explainable and Responsible AI” 

• When: Monday, April 6, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. 

• Where: Room 1300, Stevenson Center, MCC Main Campus, 221 S. Quarterline 

• Cost: Free and open to the public