From Tools to Transformation: Leading, Applying, and Teaching AI for the Modern Workplace

decorative graphic for the AI Symposium

When

September 17 - 18, 2026
Click here to add to calendar.

RSVP Here

Where

Kennesaw State University
KSU Center, Room 400
3333 Busbee Dr NW
Kennesaw, GA 30144

AI Symposium IV is a two-day event that brings together faculty, students, and industry partners to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming work, education, research, and organizations. The symposium combines keynote talks, panels, faculty innovation sessions, research productivity workshops, and a student AI innovation competition to create a collaborative environment focused on learning, experimentation, and innovation.

The overall goal of AI Symposium IV is to bring together teaching, research, industry engagement, and student innovation into a single event that explores how AI is reshaping learning, research, productivity, and organizational decision-making.

Day One

The first day of the symposium will feature the main symposium program, including an industry keynote on Leading AI Transformation: Governance, Change, and Organizational Readiness, a student panel on the future of learning and work, and parallel tracks focused on AI in teaching, research productivity, innovation, AI agents, and responsible AI.

Day one will also include the kickoff session for the Student AI Innovation Challenge. Powered by ResultsCX Student teams will learn the competition theme, receive training on AI tools like vibe coding, and begin developing their projects. Faculty mentors will be available throughout the afternoon and across both days to guide teams through the ideation, development, and presentation process.

Day Two

The second day will include an AI Innovation Gallery, where student teams will showcase their projects and interact with attendees, followed by the Student AI Innovation Challenge Finals, where selected teams will present their solutions and compete for awards.

Learn more about the Student AI Innovation Challenge

Agenda

Day One Schedule - Main Symposium

Time Session
8:40 AM – 8:45 AM

Opening Remarks

Dr. Robin Cheramie
Time Session
8:45 AM – 9:30 AM Industry Keynote: Leading AI Transformation: Governance, Change, and Organizational Readiness
Time Session
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

AI in the Future of Learning and Work: What Faculty, Need to Know About Students and Employers

Leadership Scholars Presentation

 

Time Session
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Implementation Track: AI, Marketing, and the Future of Customer Engagement and Decision Making

Innovation Track: Creating Custom Agents for Dedicated Tasks

Break

Time Session
11:45 PM – 12:45 PM

Implementation Track: AI for Research Productivity – Data Analysis, and Model Building.

Mahmut Karakaya

Innovation Track: AI for Strategic Decision Making and Scenario Analysis (strategy, OB, operations, entrepreneurship, and hospitality)

Manpreet Hora
Time Session
12:45 PM – 2:00 PM

Networking Lunch + AI Innovation Gallery – AI Competition Theme Reveal.

Student AI Competition Teams

 

Time Session
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Implementation Track: Designing AI-Enabled Assignments that Promote Critical Thinking and Responsible AI Use

Aaron French

Innovation Track: Beyond Generative AI: Preparing Finance and Fintech Students for Algorithmic AI in Practice

Jonathan Regenstein
Time Session
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Implementation Track: AI for Research and Scholarship – Tools and Methods for the Next Generation of Inquiry (Facilitated by the Interactive Research Methods Lab, IRML)

Iván M. Jorrín Abellán

Innovation Track: Responsible AI in Practice – Governance, Risk, and Ethical AI in Organizations

Durann Dunn

Break

Time Session
4:15 PM – 5:00 PM

Keynote: Teaching for Human Judgment in an AI-Driven Workplace

Jason Mock
Time Session
5:00 PM – 5:05 PM

Closing Remarks

Dr. Jomon Paul

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Student AI Innovation Challenge

Day 1

Competition Kickoff, Training, and Initial Development

Time Session
12:45 PM – 2:00 PM

Student Competition Launch

  • Student team check-in
  • Welcome and overview of the Student AI Innovation Challenge
  • Competition theme announcement, and evaluation criteria
  • Networking lunch
2:00 PM – 2:15 PM

Competition guidelines and team orientation
2:15 PM – 3:00 PM

Introduction to Vibe Coding

  • What is vibe coding?
  • Overview of tools and platforms
  • Introduction to Google AI Studio
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Team Work Session 1
Ideation, design, and early development
5:00 PM – 5:45 PM

Team Work Session 2
Continued development with mentor support
5:45 PM – 6:00 PM

Day 1 wrap-up and Day 2 reminders

Day 2

Final Development, Presentations, and Awards

Time Session
8:00 AM– 9:00 AM

Breakfast and check-in
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM

Morning kickoff and overview
9:15 AM – 12:00 PM

Team Work Session 3
Final development
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Lunch
1:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Team presentations, judging, and evaluation
4:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Awards ceremony

  • 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes
  • Sponsor recognition
  • Event concludes

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AI Symposium IV

From Tools to Transformation: Leading, Applying, and Teaching AI for the Modern Workplace

AI Symposium IV is a two-day event that brings together faculty, students, and industry partners to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming work, education, research, and organizations. The symposium combines keynote talks, panels, faculty innovation sessions, research productivity workshops, and a student AI innovation competition to create a collaborative environment focused on learning, experimentation, and innovation.

The symposium will begin on Day 1 with the launch of the Student AI Innovation Challenge. During this kickoff session, student teams will be introduced to the competition theme, receive training on AI tools and approaches including vibe coding, and begin developing their projects. Faculty mentors will be available throughout the afternoon and across both days to guide teams through the ideation, development, and presentation process.

Day 1 will also feature the main symposium program, including an industry keynote on : Leading AI Transformation: Governance, Change, and Organizational Readiness, a student panel on the future of learning and work, and parallel tracks focused on AI in teaching, research productivity, innovation, AI agents, and responsible AI.

Day 2 will include an AI Innovation Gallery, where student teams will showcase their projects and interact with attendees, followed by the Student AI Innovation Challenge Finals, where selected teams will present their solutions and compete for awards.

The overall goal of AI Symposium IV is to bring together teaching, research, industry engagement, and student innovation into a single event that explores how AI is reshaping learning, research, productivity, and organizational decision making.

Attend AI Symposium IV

Please fill out the form below to secure your seat for AI Symposium IV. The deadline to RSVP is Sept. 10, 2026.

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Past AI Symposiums

  • Title card for AI in Higher Education symposium, featuring the event's title surrounded by stylized illustrated books

    August 27, 2025
    8:30 AM - 5:00PM

    KSU Center
    3333 Busbee Dr NW
    Kennesaw, GA 30144

    Support Documents

    Need help getting around the symposium? Download this event agenda as well as a map of the Carmichael Student Center.

    Conference Agenda Student Center Map Parking Map

    Agenda
    8:45 AM – 9:30 AM Keynote Address: Human-Centered AI: The Amplification of Human Potential Scott Zimmer, CEO and Co-Founder, Answersfrom.me
    9:30 AM – 10:30 AM Interactive Panel: How Are You Using AI? – A Brainstorming Forum on Teaching, Research, and Aspirations (Reza Vaezi, Kevin Gecowets, Tamara Powell, Jeanne Law) Reza Vaezi, Professor of Information Systems, KSU
    Kevin Gecowets, Instructor of Management, KSU
    Tamara Powell, Professor of English, KSU
    Jeanne Law, Professor of English, KSU
    10:45 AM – 11:45 AM

    Beginner Track: Getting Started with AI Tools - ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, NotebookLLM 

    Advanced Track: Creating Custom Agents for Dedicated Tasks

    Hossein Mohit, Program Director, Healthcare Management and Informatics, KSU

    Ying Xie, Professor of Information Technology, KSU
    12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

    Beginner Track: Intro to Prompt Engineering – Interactive Sandbox Lab 

    Advanced Track: From Research to Practice: Building AI Chatbots to Support Teaching & Learning 

     

    Sherry Ni, Professor of Data Science and Statistics, KSU

    Dabae Lee, Associate Professor of Instructional Technology, KSU

     
    1:45 PM – 2:45 PM

    Beginner Track: Hands-On AI for Educators – Syllabus and Slide Generation Lab

    Advanced Track: AI for Video, Case Studies, and Content Design

    Heather Morgan, Clinical Assistant Professor of Marketing and Professional Sales, KSU

    Aaron French, Assistant Professor of Information Systems, KSU
    3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

    Beginner Track: Reverse Mentoring Session – Students Demo AI Use in the Classroom (Leadership Scholars (Cohort 11): Maya Bright; Britton Rellinger)

    Advanced Track: Demystifying AI: Practical Applications and Ethical Considerations 

    Maya Bright and Britton Rellinger, Coles Leadership Scholars

    Rajan Gupta, Partner, Centelli

    John Foster, CIO, Libra Industries

    Ajay Aluri, Associate Professor, Hospitality and Tourism, General Business, WVU

    Jay Indrakumar, Senior Vice President and Head of Technology, WellStreet Urgent Care
    4:00 PM – 4:45 PM Industry Perspective Keynote: “Generative AI: Practical Insights To Enable Success” Bill Franks, Director of the Center for Data Science and Analytics, KSU
    4:45 PM – 5:00 PM  Wrap-Up & Thank You Jomon Paul, Associate Dean of Research and Accreditation and Professor of EFQ&A, KSU
         

    Session Recordings

    Opening Remarks

     

     

    Keynote Address: Human-Centered AI: The Amplification of Human Potential

     

    Interactive Panel: How Are You Using AI? – A Brainstorming Forum on Teaching, Research, and Aspirations

     

    Beginner Track: Getting Started with AI Tools - ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, NotebookLLM

     


    Advanced Track: Creating Custom Agents for Dedicated Tasks

    Beginner Track: Intro to Prompt Engineering – Interactive Sandbox Lab

    Advanced Track: From Research to Practice: Building AI Chatbots to Support Teaching & Learning

    Beginner Track: Hands-On AI for Educators – Syllabus and Slide Generation Lab

     


    Advanced Track: AI for Video, Case Studies, and Content Design

     

    Industry Perspective Keynote: “Generative AI: Practical Insights To Enable Success”

     

  • AI in Higher Education

    August 29, 2024
    8:30 AM - 5:00PM

    KSU Main Campus
    Carmichael Student Center University Rooms
    395 Cobb Ave.
    Kennesaw, Ga 30144

    Time Theme Speaker(s)
    8:30 AM – 9:00 AM Check-in and Continental Breakfast
    In University Room A/B    		  
    9:00 AM – 9:15 AM Opening Remarks
    In University Room A/B    		 Robin Cheramie
    9:15 AM – 10:15 AM Keynote: Transforming Academic Workflows with AI: From Routine Tasks to Groundbreaking Innovations
    In University Room A/B    		 Kai Larsen, University of Colorado Boulder
    10:15 AM – 10:30 AM Break  
    10:30 AM – 11:30 AM Breakout Sessions
    • An Early Exploration of AI Tools for Research and Teaching
      Prachi Gala and Robert Randolph
      In University Room A/B

    • Mastering Prompt Engineering: Techniques for Optimal AI Interactions
      Sherry Ni
      In University Room C

    • Promoting Critical Thinking with AI in the Classroom
      Michele DiPietro
      In ST 370

    Robert Randolph, Research Director and Associate Professor of Family Business/Management, Kennesaw State University 

    Prachi Gala, Associate Professor of Marketing and Professional Sales, Kennesaw State University

    Sherry Ni, Director of the School of Data Science and Analytics and Professor of Statistics, Kennesaw State University

    Michele DiPietro, Executive Director for Faculty Development, Recognition, and the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Kennesaw State University
    11:30 AM – 1:00 PM Industry Panel: Generative AI’s Revolutionary Impact on Business and the Future of Work
    In University Room A/B

    Aaron French (Moderator), Assistant Professor of Information Systems and Security

    Gustavo Sanabria, Co-founder and CEO of Captivatar

    Dave Dowsett, Global Head, AI, Emerging Technologies and Innovation, Invesco 

    Jack Shaw, Global Thought Leader & Technology Strategist

    Sarah Woodward, Founder of AI Growth Ops and Strategic Startup Advisor for Strategy and Innovation
    1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Lunch
    In University Room A/B    		  
    2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Breakout Sessions
    • Enhancing the classroom Using Gen AI
      Aaron French
      In University Room A/B
    • AI for Professional Communication
      Jeanne Law and Tamara Powell
      In University Room C

    • AI: Are You Ready?
      Drew Tonsmeire
      In ST 370

    Aaron French, Assistant Professor of Information Systems and Security, Kennesaw State University

    Jeanne Law, Director of First-Year Composition and Professor of English, Kennesaw State University

    Tamara Powell, Professor of English, Kennesaw State University

    Drew Tonsmeire, Area Director, University of Georgia Small Business Development Center at Kennesaw State University
    3:00 PM – 3:45 PM Student Presentation: Using AI in Classes from a Student Perspective
    In University Room A/B    		 Undergraduate and Graduate Students
    3:45 PM – 4:00 PM Break  
    4:00 PM – 4:45 PM Learning with AI: Rediscovering the Fundamentals
    In University Room A/B    		 Kai Larsen, University of Colorado Boulder
    4:45 PM – 5:00 PM Closing Remarks
    In University Room A/B    		 Jomon Paul, Associate Dean of Research and Accreditation and Professor of Economics, Finance & Quantitative Analysis, Kennesaw State University

  • AI in the Business Classroom

    August 24, 2023
    8:00 AM - 5:00PM
    KSU Center, Room 400

    Time Theme Speaker(s)
    8:30 AM – 9:00 AM Check-in and Continental Breakfast  
    9:00 AM – 9:15 AM Opening Remarks Robin Cheramie
    9:15 AM – 10:15 AM Keynote: Implications of Artificial Intelligence for Higher Education Gerald Kane, University of Georgia
    10:15 AM – 10:30 AM Break  
    10:30 AM – 11:30 AM Keynote: Embracing Generative AI for Classroom Instruction: Opportunities and Challenges Patrick Lynch, Hult Business School
    11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Tradeoffs of Using AI to Learn Aaron French
    12:30 PM – 1:30 PM Lunch  
    1:30 PM – 2:30 PM Keynote: Educating Business Students for Industry with AI Michael Stefanick, Ernst Young
    2:30 PM – 3:15 PM Student Presentation: Using AI in Classes from a student perspective  
    3:15 PM – 3:30 PM Break  
    3:30 PM – 4:45 PM Faculty Panel: Maximizing Net Positives of AI in the Classroom Tyra Burton (Moderator), Heather Morgan, and Reza Vaezi
    4:45 PM – 5:00 PM Closing Remarks Jomon Paul