Leadership in the Age of AI: NSU Forum on business, healthcare, environment | Generative ai course free with certificate | Microsoft generative ai tools list | Microsoft generative ai tools github | Turtles AI

The “Leadership in the Age of AI” forum at Northwestern State University brought together experts to discuss the impact of AI on various industries, emphasizing the need for collaboration between AI and human oversight.

Key Points:

• AI can process information at significantly faster speeds than the human brain.
• Integrating AI into decision-making requires human oversight to ensure optimal outcomes.
• AI is transforming industries such as healthcare, business, and education.
• Northwestern State University is investing in AI education to prepare students for the challenges of the future.

On March 19, 2025, Northwestern State University (NSU) hosted the “Leadership in the Age of AI” forum, an event that brought together leading experts to discuss the implications of AI on various industries. Keynote speakers included Dr. Neilank Jha, a neurosurgeon and researcher, highlighted how AI can operate at significantly faster speeds than the human brain, processing information 120 million times faster. However, Jha stressed the importance of human oversight in the use of AI, saying that the ideal approach is for human and AI decisions to work together.

Monty Chicola, a former NSU student and current software developer, reiterated the growing influence of AI in the modern world, saying that the technology is here to stay and will transform industries such as commerce, communications, medicine and entertainment. Chicola is currently teaching an AI programming course at NSU in collaboration with IBM, stressing the importance of developing AI software in politically and economically stable environments such as the United States.

Dr. Julian Bailes, a neurosurgeon and brain injury expert, discussed the application of AI in neurosurgery, highlighting how advanced technologies such as surgical navigation, imaging and ultrasound are improving medical procedures. Bailes also highlighted the potential of AI to analyze images and data at scale, improving care coordination and potentially saving lives.

The Lola Walker Dunahoe Endowed Chair in Interdisciplinary Studies was announced at the event, in memory of philanthropist Lola Walker Dunahoe. The Dunahoe family recently established the chair, with NSU naming Jha the Distinguished Professor in Leadership and Neuroeconomics. This initiative aims to attract talent in interdisciplinary studies, reinforcing the university’s commitment to integrating AI into academic programs and research initiatives.

The forum represented a significant step for NSU in preparing students and faculty for the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, fostering a culture of innovation and leadership in the digital age.