Blab AI
Linden Public Library to Host Free AI Introduction Lecture by Obsidian Rising CEO
On Tuesday, June 23, the Linden Public Library will open its doors for a free lecture on artificial intelligence, hosted by Gladian Rivera, the founder and chief executive officer of Obsidian Rising.
The talk will begin at 7 p.m. in the Columbia Bank Room of the library’s main building at 31 East Henry St. It is open to all community members, and no registration is required.
Rivera brings more than twenty years of experience advising large institutions, including the U.S. Department of Justice, state corrections agencies, healthcare systems, and research organizations. She is also a published author and a frequent public speaker.
During the session, Rivera will introduce the fundamentals of AI—its core principles, how it learns, reasons, and makes decisions. She will outline real‑world benefits, such as accelerating processes and improving decision quality, while also addressing the risks that come with widespread deployment, including data privacy concerns, algorithmic bias, job displacement, and safety.
The speaker will explore how AI can create growth opportunities in personal, social, and work contexts and discuss its role in reshaping American society. The library’s description emphasizes that Rivera will guide attendees through an introduction that balances opportunities and challenges.
The Linden Public Library has served the city’s social, cultural, artistic, and educational needs since 1928. Over the decades, it has hosted educational workshops, author talks, and community discussions, and the upcoming AI lecture continues that tradition by offering residents a chance to learn about a technology that increasingly influences everyday life.
Artificial intelligence is defined as the ability of computer systems to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence—learning, reasoning, problem‑solving, perception, and decision‑making. The field has grown rapidly since the 2010s, driven by advances in machine learning, deep neural networks, and large language models. AI is now used in applications ranging from search engines and chatbots to autonomous vehicles and medical diagnostics.
While AI can accelerate processes and enable new services, experts warn of concerns around data privacy, algorithmic bias, job displacement, and safety. Calls for careful regulation and ethical guidelines aim to ensure that AI systems remain transparent, accountable, and aligned with human values.
Obsidian Rising, the firm Rivera leads, offers consulting services that help organizations design and implement AI solutions. The company describes its work as “transforming organizations through strategic consulting, leadership development, operational resilience, and culture transformation.” Rivera’s background in institutional environments positions her to explain how AI can be integrated into complex organizational structures.
The lecture is part of a broader trend of community outreach initiatives that aim to demystify AI for non‑technical audiences. Libraries, universities, and civic groups across the United States have scheduled similar talks to provide residents with a basic understanding of AI concepts and their societal implications.
The event is free of charge, and library staff can be reached at 908‑298‑3830 for questions about the lecture or other programming. Additional information is available on the library’s Facebook page and website.
In summary, the Linden Public Library’s June 23 lecture offers residents a chance to learn from a seasoned AI consultant about the technology’s benefits, risks, and potential to transform society. The event reflects the library’s ongoing commitment to community education and the growing public interest in understanding artificial intelligence.
The talk will begin at 7 p.m. in the Columbia Bank Room of the library’s main building at 31 East Henry St. It is open to all community members, and no registration is required.
Rivera brings more than twenty years of experience advising large institutions, including the U.S. Department of Justice, state corrections agencies, healthcare systems, and research organizations. She is also a published author and a frequent public speaker.
During the session, Rivera will introduce the fundamentals of AI—its core principles, how it learns, reasons, and makes decisions. She will outline real‑world benefits, such as accelerating processes and improving decision quality, while also addressing the risks that come with widespread deployment, including data privacy concerns, algorithmic bias, job displacement, and safety.
The speaker will explore how AI can create growth opportunities in personal, social, and work contexts and discuss its role in reshaping American society. The library’s description emphasizes that Rivera will guide attendees through an introduction that balances opportunities and challenges.
The Linden Public Library has served the city’s social, cultural, artistic, and educational needs since 1928. Over the decades, it has hosted educational workshops, author talks, and community discussions, and the upcoming AI lecture continues that tradition by offering residents a chance to learn about a technology that increasingly influences everyday life.
Artificial intelligence is defined as the ability of computer systems to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence—learning, reasoning, problem‑solving, perception, and decision‑making. The field has grown rapidly since the 2010s, driven by advances in machine learning, deep neural networks, and large language models. AI is now used in applications ranging from search engines and chatbots to autonomous vehicles and medical diagnostics.
While AI can accelerate processes and enable new services, experts warn of concerns around data privacy, algorithmic bias, job displacement, and safety. Calls for careful regulation and ethical guidelines aim to ensure that AI systems remain transparent, accountable, and aligned with human values.
Obsidian Rising, the firm Rivera leads, offers consulting services that help organizations design and implement AI solutions. The company describes its work as “transforming organizations through strategic consulting, leadership development, operational resilience, and culture transformation.” Rivera’s background in institutional environments positions her to explain how AI can be integrated into complex organizational structures.
The lecture is part of a broader trend of community outreach initiatives that aim to demystify AI for non‑technical audiences. Libraries, universities, and civic groups across the United States have scheduled similar talks to provide residents with a basic understanding of AI concepts and their societal implications.
The event is free of charge, and library staff can be reached at 908‑298‑3830 for questions about the lecture or other programming. Additional information is available on the library’s Facebook page and website.
In summary, the Linden Public Library’s June 23 lecture offers residents a chance to learn from a seasoned AI consultant about the technology’s benefits, risks, and potential to transform society. The event reflects the library’s ongoing commitment to community education and the growing public interest in understanding artificial intelligence.
