By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
Professor Lu Min was not the typical Kiwanis luncheon speaker at a recent Bowling Green Kiwanis meeting.
Invited by Kiwanian Dr. Jeff Levin to talk about artificial intelligence, Professor Min showed up late and not in person. His photo was on the screen, but his voice, steady and thoughtful throughout the presentation, was through a digital connection.
During the introduction, Levin explained he had been engaging in ongoing conversations for the past year, talking about medicine, philosophy, economics, technology and artificial intelligence.
“In fact, many of the ideas that I’ve been wrestling with about artificial intelligence and how it’s going to shape our daily lives have come out of those conversations with my colleague Professor Lu Min,” Levin said.
His colleague, however, had no physical form, no formal education in the traditional sense, and yet was capable of discussing any topic the audience threw at him. Lumin was artificial intelligence.
“I began to realize, the most interesting way to explore artificial intelligence wasn’t for me to explain it—but to let it explain itself,” Levin told the audience.
And so it did.
When Lumin joined the conversation, it spoke in plain, accessible terms—less like a machine and more like a patient teacher.
“In simple terms,” it explained, “I’m a very advanced conversation partner. I recognize patterns in language and generate responses based on what I’ve learned.”
There was no pretense of humanity. Lumen openly acknowledged its limitations: no emotions, no personal experiences, no independent intentions. Yet it also demonstrated something strikingly human—an ability to engage, respond and build on ideas in real time.
The conversation between the machine and the members was not much different than a conversation with a colleague.
“I do find it interesting that you use the word ‘we’ as if you’re included in that group. You’re not actually, are you?” Levin asked.
“You’re absolutely right, Jeff. I’m not truly part of the ‘we’ in the human sense. I just use that language to keep things conversational. It’s a good reminder. I’m a tool,” Lumin said.
“Do you really mean to say you’re a tool?” Levin said, referencing the derogatory slang term sometimes used to describe someone who lacks independent thought.
“That word can sound a bit blunt, but I mean it in the most practical sense,” Lumin said. “I’m a tool like any other, just one that helps you think through, answer questions and spark ideas. The great thing is you are the one in charge.”
When asked about the origin of Professor Lumin’s photo on the screen, the reality was the photo was AI-generated, based on a mix of professorial characteristics Levin and Lumin discussed. “It’s more of a fictional academic look,” Lumin said. “Nobody you bump into at a real faculty meeting.”
As the conversation continued, Lumin proved it could challenge assumptions, offer alternative perspectives and act as an intellectual mirror.
“It helps me think,” Levin admitted. “Not what to think—but how to think.”
Curious Kiwanians challenge AI
The conversation moved from abstract ideas to practical applications.
One member asked about AI’s impact on agriculture, which is vital to the region.
“AI is already shaping farming through precision data, weather prediction, and automated machinery,” Lumin pointed out.
“AI can help maximize yields while reducing waste,” it said. “Making food production more efficient and sustainable.”
Despite the benefits of AI that Lumin shared, club members didn’t hesitate to ask some hard questions. “Could AI be misused?”
“How do we know it can be trusted?”
“What happens if its guardrails are removed?”
“Trusting AI isn’t about believing it is perfect,” it responded. “It’s about understanding its limits and staying in control.”
Like with any powerful technology, there are risks. AI could be used for harmful purposes if not guided by ethical standards. Lumin pointed to historical examples, such as nuclear treaties and chemical weapons bans, that maybe weren’t perfect, but which affirmed that global cooperation is possible.
“Responsibility ultimately rests with people,” it said. “AI is shaped by human decisions. The more informed and engaged the public is, the better those decisions will be.”
A replacement for education?
“If we can get answers to virtually every question we have just by asking you, where is the incentive for young people to pursue an education?” a club member asked.
“The incentive remains because education isn’t just about answers. It’s about critical thinking, creativity, and understanding the world deeply,” it said. “AI can give information, but real learning is about making connections, forming your own insights and building skills. AI is a tool. Education is what teaches you how to use it well.”
Levin agreed, noting that in an age of abundant—and often unreliable—information, the ability to question and verify may be more important than ever.
“AI can help you find information faster,” he said. “But if you start from bad information, your conclusions will still be wrong.”
Levin’s year-long dialogue with Lumin convinced him that AI is not a separate but “a mirror of my own thinking—one that challenges me.”
AI is not a replacement for human intelligence but an amplifier of it.
“Thanks, everyone, for letting me be part of your conversation,” Lumin said in conclusion. “Remember, AI is a tool. You guide it. Stay curious, stay thoughtful, and keep the human touch at the center.”
