This Week on One Detroit:
University of Michigan becomes first college to create AI tools for campus, students
The University of Michigan has become the first major university in the nation to create its own artificial intelligence tools. The project was shepherded by Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer Dr. Ravi Pendse.
“We have two ways of looking at it at Michigan,” he said. “One way was we could say, we’ll step back and let’s wait out and see what the world will do, and then maybe we can react. The other way was, let’s thoughtfully approach this technology and let’s lead.”
Generative AI continues to fuel debates over its role in education at all levels. Some educators strictly forbid its use to avoid things like plagiarism and factual inaccuracies, others like University of Michigan Associate Professor David Jurgens, embrace the technology’s application in appropriate classroom settings.
“As a university, we’re trying to figure out how to get students to engage with this in a productive, collaborative way, without sort of losing their critical thinking skills,” Jurgens said. One Detroit Producer Will Glover talked with Pendse, Jurgens and University of Michigan student Shantasia King about the AI tools and its impact in the classroom.
The history of corned beef egg rolls, an iconic dish originating in Detroit
Detroit journalist and Metro Times restaurant critic Tom Perkins knows Detroit-style egg rolls. As Perkins has reported, the root of it all was corned beef, made popular in Detroit a century ago.
“There’s a big Jewish population in Detroit,” Perkins said. “They opened all these corned beef shops and then the Jewish folks left town, African American folks moved into the neighborhoods, enjoyed corned beef so some of the restaurants that were there that have been around for 60 years stayed in business.”
In the late 1970s, a woman from Vietnam, Kim White, started putting corned beef into egg roll wrappers and fried them up. She called them Asian corned beef egg rolls and now has several stores around the city. She’s generally credited with inventing the dish.
More recently, other corned beef egg rolls have popped up around metro Detroit. An Allen Park restaurant, Sista Roles Street Eats sells extra-large egg rolls full of different fillings served on a stick like a corndog, with varieties that include chicken broccoli alfredo, chicken and beef shawarma, chicken fajita, lamb, stuffed salmon and veggie hibachi. Food aficionados nationwide are taking note.
One Detroit Senior Producer Bill Kubota explores the history of the dish that has evolved into a deep-fried multicultural array of different food presentations across the Motor City – a story that’s Truly Detroit.
Downtown Boxing Gym’s culinary curriculum teaches children cooking skills and nutrition
Every day after school, hundreds of kids head to Downtown Boxing Gym on Detroit’s east side to shoot some hoops, get help with their homework or hit the boxing ring. They’re also having fun in the organization’s new commercial kitchen making nutritious meals with a well-known Detroit chef.
Molly Mitchell, the former owner of Detroit diner Rose’s Fine Food, became Downtown Boxing Gym’s associate director of culinary arts in January. Mitchell’s role includes preparing fresh meals and snacks for students each night, totaling more than 1,000 meals per week. She’s also developing a culinary arts curriculum by teaching basic cooking skills and healthy meals that kids can make at home. The nonprofit offers free academic and athletic programs, electives and mentorship to youth ages 8-18, with continuing mentorship and support through 25.
“My goal is to build out a program that is not only really informative, that if someone wanted to go get a job in a restaurant, they could after taking this program,” Mitchell said. “But really, I’m just trying to cement an excitement for food that can be a lifelong passion, whether you’re working in a restaurant or you just like learning how to cook amazing meals for yourself and your loved ones.”
BridgeDetroit’s Micah Walker and One Detroit’s Chris Jordan stopped by the Downtown Boxing Gym to watch Mitchell teach students some new skills in the kitchen. Plus, Walker talked with Mitchell and Downtown Boxing Gym founder and CEO Khali Sweeney about the program and how it fits into the gym’s larger mission.
One Detroit Weekend: May 2, 2024
Cinco de Mayo is coming up this weekend and there are a few ways to celebrate in Southwest Detroit. Also, American astrophysicist and writer Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson visits Detroit. Plus, celebrate Sturgeon Day, see a performance of “Annie” and more happening in and around the city this weekend. Contributor Peter Whorf shares what else is coming up on “One Detroit Weekend.”
Upcoming Events:
- The Detroit Public Theatre presents a production of “Clyde’s” through June 2. The play follows formerly incarcerated kitchen staff at their truck stop sandwich shop.
- The Fox Theatre in Detroit will show the classic story of “Annie” May 3-5. The musical is directed by Jenn Thompson and features the iconic book and score.
- Celebrate Cinco de Mayo May 5 at the Cinco de Mayo Parade & Fiesta in Southwest Detroit along Vernor Highway, hosted by the Mexican Patriotic Committee of Metropolitan Detroit.
- Join the Cinco de Mile 5K Fun Run for Mental Health Awareness at Clark Park in Southwest Detroit on May 5. The event will also include a virtual fun run.
- The Fillmore Detroit hosts American astrophysicist and writer Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson for the “Search for Life in the Universe” on May 8.
- The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge and the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy host a Sturgeon Day Celebration on May 4 at William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor.
- The Henry Ford Museum in Detroit presents “Day Out with Thomas – The Bubble Tour!”, an interactive exhibit featuring Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends, through May 19.
- Three Detroit businesses – Love and Tequila, The Annex and Brass Rail – partner to host a Cinco de Mayo Block Party on May 5.
