Beyond AI Anxiety: How to Thrive with the Intelligent Tech of Tomorrow

Is AI going to take my job? Will it undermine academic integrity? Spread misinformation? Surpass human intelligence? Supplant humans altogether? Discussions of AI can quickly plummet into dark, even dystopian, places. Despite many legitimate concerns, it’s also clear that AI is a reality that offers vast promise—while requirement immense preparation and discernment. As people around the world gain access and begin using more sophisticated AI technology directly, organizations will find tremendous opportunities to boost employee productivity and creativity, interact with customers more strategically, and redefine professional work altogether.

Join us to discuss what you and your organization need to consider to prepare for—and thrive in—a new professional world driven by AI technologies. UNC faculty and industry experts will discuss the kinds of industry-wide policies are in play, legal and ethical considerations, and what rules of engagement individual organizations may need to consider. Learn about the core skills that professionals need to develop to succeed and work in concert with AI technology and structures that leaders can use to define and implement their AI approach. Following the presentations, you’ll work with your colleagues in industry-specific breakout teams facilitated by a UNC-Chapel Hill professor and systems thinking expert. Explore potential uses these technologies in your own field, how they could thrive, and what might limit their growth. As you diagram and uncover cause-and-effect relationships, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of new technologies and ways to encourage their adoption among organizational leaders and a changing workforce. Whether you’re a tech maven, business leader, policy maker, or general forward thinker, you’ll leave this session inspired and informed about how technologies can shape the future of work.

Featured Presenters and Facilitators:

• Thomas Hofweber, UNC Professor, Philosophy
• Mohammed Jarrahi, UNC Associate Professor, School of Information and Library Science
• Mark McNeilly, Professor of the Practice, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School
• Jerome Sanders, Senior Product Marketing Manager, Outshift by Cisco

This event is part of Innovate Carolina’s Future of Work Signature Series, a series tackling big challenges that matter to North Carolina and the greater good. By facilitating collaboration and connections that help problem-solvers move more inventions and valuable ideas into the world faster, the greatest social and economic impact is possible.