On October 22, the at 海角社区 welcomed students and members of the local business community to its first-ever Artificial Intelligence Symposium, held on the Fairfax 海角社区. Sponsored by NABA and Deloitte, the event featured two dynamic panel discussions focused on the evolving role of artificial intelligence in the workforce.
As the lights dimmed, attendees were greeted by an AI-generated voice, setting the tone for the evening: 鈥淭he future isn鈥檛 written by algorithms. It鈥檚 co-authored by people bold enough to lead them.鈥
Following the introduction, , BS Management 鈥07, MBA 鈥09, associate dean for outreach and strategic engagement and emcee for the evening, framed the significance of the event. 鈥淎rtificial intelligence is no longer an emerging concept鈥攊t's a transformative force shaping every industry, discipline, and leadership decision,鈥 he said. 鈥淭onight鈥檚 program brings together leading voices from academia and industry to discuss how AI is changing the way we work, learn, and lead.鈥
鈥淎rtificial intelligence is no longer an emerging concept鈥攊t's a transformative force shaping every industry, discipline, and leadership decision.鈥
鈥 Patrick Soleymani, BS Management 鈥07, MBA 鈥09, associate dean for outreach and strategic engagement
The first panel focused on the technological implications of AI. Moderated by , senior dean for faculty affairs and research, the discussion featured Rajiv Shenoy, partner and associate director at Boston Consulting Group; and James Suh, CEO and co-founder of Nashville Analytics LLC, and head of technology insights at NABA. Both Shenoy and Suh emphasized the importance of analyzing threats, challenges, and opportunities within the organization that AI would be addressing. 鈥
AI can鈥檛 compete with human creativity,鈥 said Shenoy. However, he said, using AI is critical to upskilling, and those unwilling to embrace the technology will eventually be replaced. Suh shared that at NABA they strive to hire hyper curious employees.
鈥淣ow we turn our focus to the people, policy, and leadership implications of AI adoption,鈥 said , dean of the Costello College of Business, who moderated the second panel that featured Tasha Austin-Williams, principal at Deloitte; Guylaine Sainte Juste, BA International Relations 鈥94, president and CEO, NABA Inc.; and Amarda Shehu, George Mason's inaugural vice president and chief AI officer. Acknowledging that one person cannot be an expert at everything, Sainte Juste noted, 鈥淭his technology will move us from a world of expertise to a world of adaptability.鈥 Shehu shared that George Mason has worked closely with students, faculty, and staff to provide access to AI tools in a secure and user-friendly environment, with a strong emphasis on innovative curriculum development.
The message of the evening was clear: The era of AI is here. Now is the time to embrace this transformative technology and integrate it into skillsets, leadership strategies, and educational frameworks.
鈥淲hether you鈥檙e in academia, business, or government, the future of AI requires bold thinking, inclusive design, and ongoing collaboration,鈥 Soleymani said in closing. The Costello College of Business is committed to convening thought leaders and equipping students and faculty with the tools to not only keep pace with AI鈥攂ut to lead with it.
