The Meeting was called to order by President Devin van Holsteijn
Attendees sang ‘Happy Birthday’ led by President Devin and Anna Moyers Stone. Happy Birthday to all our February Rotarians celebrating birthdays.
INTRODUCTIONS:
Visitors: Guest Speaker, Tyler Bell, Fernand Bila guest of Rtn. Shannon Ramsay, Haley Rosendahl guest of Rtn. Devin van Holsteijn, and Lesley Pries, guest of Rtn. Mark Pries.
Visiting Rotarians: Rtn. Melissa Wohlstein visiting from Riverview, Danville, VA.
Rotary-related Announcements:
President Devin extended congratulations to our new Rotary officers Brianna Wills, Shannon Ramsey and President-Elect, John Kenyon.
He also announced that our club will be hosting a tree planting at Riverfront Crossings on April 25. Stay tuned for more information and please plan to save-the-date and join your fellow Rotarians to plant and socialize after at Big Grove Brewery. For more details and to sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0E4AA9AF2FA0F58-62095809-tree
Rtn. Patty McCarthy reminded members that we are collecting books for Tara Lawson and Bruce Teague to shower the new additions to their families. We will collect books for one more week.
Rtn. Ann Bywater announced that the Extension Club – now referred to as Companion Club, is meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 5:00 pm at Vesta. Program starts at 5:30 with Deb Dunkhase and her team sharing their experiences from the Iowa Most trip to Guatemala in January.
Ann also shared information about the following upcoming events:
Grant Management Seminar - March 28, 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
This program will be held in person at Shive-Hattery, Inc. in West Des Moines and digitally for those that cannot attend in person. Please note if your club plans to apply for a district grant, someone from your grant’s team must attend this session.
Rotary Pathways: A Leadership Journey - April 10, 12:00 p.m. – Apr. 12, 2026 3:00 p.m.
This is the ‘new’ President Elect’s Training program that all PE’s are required to attend.
Rotarians Doing Good in the World - District Conference 2026 – May 1, 10:00 a.m. – May 2, 9:00 p.m Coralville Hyatt Regency – 300 East 9th Street. More information can be found on the D6000 website: https://www.rotary6000.org/ |
PROGRAM: Pure Imagination: AI Education, Research & Outreach at Iowa
Rtn. Margaret Reese introduced guest speaker Tyler Bell, Provost AI Fellow and Associate Professor of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Iowa. Professor Bell presented an overview of the University’s Artificial Intelligence Certificate Program and discussed the expanding role of AI in education and daily life.
Beginning in Fall 2026, the University of Iowa will offer an undergraduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence, open to students from all academic backgrounds. The interdisciplinary program will provide students with an understanding of AI’s capabilities, limitations, and ethical considerations, along with practical experience using AI tools.
Professor Bell highlighted how AI already impacts everyday activities, including social media feeds, phone security, navigation, entertainment recommendations, and web searches. He explained the distinction between targeted AI, which detects and classifies objects or events, and generative AI, which produces human-like content.
He also shared how students, staff, and faculty are using AI for communication, meetings, project and time management, professional development, writing and editing, and other professional applications. AI, he noted, is increasingly becoming an “everything tool.”
The key takeaway emphasized AI as a collaborative partner, with humans serving as the directors guiding its use. Professor Bell concluded by noting that AI continues to improve rapidly and that its only real limits are those of human imagination.
Professor Bell also highlighted HawkAI: AI Education for the UI Community, through which more than 1,000 certificates have been awarded.
The meeting ended with The Four Way Test.
NEXT WEEK: At next week’s meeting, February 12 2026, we will hear from fellow Rotarians, Jim Merchant and Diane Atkins, and colleague Fiona Johnson who will discuss the Rotary-Kerber Heartsafe program in honor of Heart Month.
Program: Rtn. Margaret Reese; Attendance: Rtn. Nancy Droll
Please forward any newsworthy items and/or photos to Janice Baldes to include in the weekly slide decks emailed to members prior to each meeting and shown just before Rotary meetings at the Club. You can send information to: Rtn. Janice Baldes janicebaldes@gmail.com
For questions related to Club administration, please contact us at secretary@iowacitynoonrotary.org.