Students and faculty members gained insights at “Cincy AI Week” presentations

Academics, Community, Faculty & Staff, Students

Jul 1, 2024

Reporting provided by Josephine Wooldridge | Photo provided by Kim Richards

Taking a break from Cincy AI Week sessions (from left): Josephine Wooldridge (student, Computer Network Administration), Dr. Kim Richards (Co-op Coordinator, Engineering & Information Technologies), Kendra Ramirez (CEO, KR Digital & Cincy AI Week Host Committee), and Jaiden Horn (student, Business Marketing)

Several Cincinnati State students and faculty members attended Cincy AI Week, held June 10-12, to “explore the future of artificial intelligence (AI) in Cincinnati and beyond.” The event was sponsored by the Enterprise Technology Association, Cincinnati AI Catalyst, and a coalition of community partners.

Josephine Wooldridge, a student working toward degrees in Computer Network Administration, Computer Software Development, and Software Engineering Technology, said a goal of Cincy AI Week was to “make AI information accessible to everyone, including those who are skeptical.” She said the event provided invaluable insights and highlighted “the importance of collaboration between humans and AI.”

The Cincinnati State participants attended presentations and panel discussions on topics that included AI security concerns, uses of AI in business, and the importance of “humans in the loop” to ensure accuracy and reliability in AI systems.

Dr. Tomie Gartland, program chair for Computer Network Administration, said one of the valuable sessions she attended was a presentation by AI expert Paul Baier, who discussed the importance of using AI tools in work that involves “interpretation of words, images, numbers, and sounds” such as computer programming, accounting, and marketing. According to Baier, appropriate use of AI tools in these fields will lead to savings that can benefit investors, customers, and employees.