Generative AI is the invention that's launched a thousand scams and snake oil pitches. But for all the hype and anti-hype, it's also a scientific breakthrough that provides hints about the nature of intelligence. Unlike past advances, tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney are accessible to non-practitioners and created citizen scientists who found surprises both positive and negative in their investigations. And why not? We all know a thing or two about humans and human intelligence. AI researcher Josh Johnston will talk about the advancement that enabled Large Language Models, what it tells us about how our own brains work, and how non-technical people can explore formerly-complex techniques like few shot learning to explore the promise and limitations for themselves.