WLWT5: UC hosts artificial intelligence forum featuring experts from Kroger, P&G, Microsoft, TQL
***OhioX note: This was the second of two AI Forums co-hosted by InnovateOhio, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and OhioX.
By: Todd Dykes
August 1, 2023
CINCINNATI — From fear to fascination to efficiencies, conversations about artificial intelligence tend to run the gamut, which was the case Tuesday at a forum hosted by UC's 1819 Innovation Hub and led by Ohio's Lt. Gov. Jon Husted.
"I bet all of us are within six degrees of separation of someone who is terrified of AI right now," Sandy Steiger, Senior Director of Advanced Analytics and Automation at Total Quality Logistics, said during a panel discussion.
"Artificial intelligence, while it's new in the media, is not new to technology companies," Chris Carper, Director of Customer Success for Microsoft, said. "We've been working on it for decades."
A packed house listened closely to experts from several companies, including Kroger and P&G, as they described the way new models of AI that utilize generative learning are changing the way business gets done.
"So, who benefits from a tool like this? Well, many of you in this room," Sarah Sanders, Chief Operating Officer of Native AI, told members of the audience.
"We understand that artificial intelligence is going to be part of our lives. And we want Ohio to be a leader, not a laggard in the space. And Cincinnati, based on the talent that was assembled at this forum today, has the potential to be a leader," Husted said. "Cincinnati has a mind towards innovation.
"Tuesday's forum also featured input from leading academics who talked about the impact on education of generative AI, which involves apps like ChatGPT that scour vast amounts of information online and spit out reports and market research in seconds.
"AI is going to be our partner for the rest of our lives, whether we like it or not," said Ali Minai, Ph.D., Professor of Engineering at the University of Cincinnati.
"AI is not a separate thing," Husted said. "It's part of everything."
Because that's the case, Husted said efforts are underway to help classrooms across Ohio embrace technological advances that are happening at lightning speed.
"Rather than worrying about how AI can be used to cheat, let's figure out how to integrate it into education systems so students are turning out of our schools ready to go," Husted said.
Husted highlighted Ohio's new computer science promise program. Starting with the 2024 school year, the program will guarantee that seventh graders through high school seniors in the Buckeye State have the right to take computer science courses, whether they're offered at the students' home schools or not.
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