Who knew yesterday that the Internet would become like this?
“We are moving into the age of AI,” Robert Daigle, director and global artificial intelligence business leader at Lenovo, told East Carolina University students at a technology summit.
Daigle, a two-time ECU College of Business graduate, served as the summit's keynote speaker, connecting business and technology through breakout sessions and panel discussions.
The event was student-organized and led by Kevin Cruz-Torres and Matt Lewis of the Computing Machinery Association in the Department of Computer Science, and Savannah Pulver and Cole Miller of the College of Business Student Leadership Committee. The program featured 18 business and technology experts who talked about technology trends, business strategy, leadership development, and the jobs of today and the future of work.
“I want to help students and show them what's going on,” said presenter Angelina Black, an ECU alumnus and executive director of JPMorgan. “I want to share that with them so they can take a peek and learn what it’s like after college.”
Ms. Black participated in a panel discussion on leadership and told students to be confident but humble. Discussion also included the importance of personal growth and fostering good leadership structures.
“I cannot overstate the importance of good mentorship in your career,” Daigle told the students.
Robert Daigle, director and global AI business leader at Lenovo, speaks to students at the technology summit. Daigle, an ECU alumnus, served as the keynote speaker for the event, which focused on technology and business. (Photo provided by Ken Budei)
Approximately 250 students from the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Business Administration participated in the summit.
“I think it's a great networking opportunity and it's fun hearing things from an industry perspective,” said Gabriel Stein, a computer science graduate student from Raleigh. “In our field, we are used to hearing things from an academic perspective, like the research and learning side, rather than what industry is looking for.”
She said she enjoyed Daigle's keynote address on artificial intelligence.
“My thesis is about AI, so I'm familiar with a lot of what he talked about,” Stein said. “I think he’s right on point about AI not going anywhere.”
JPMorgan Executive Director Angelena Black speaks to students during a panel discussion at the Technology Summit.
During his presentation, Daigle told students that we are moving from the age of the Internet to the age of AI. He said artificial intelligence is not something to be feared and is already used routinely, such as in mobile phone autocorrect features.
“AI is quietly enriching our lives behind the scenes,” he says.
He said AI is attractive to businesses because it is becoming more affordable. He pointed to research that found that in 2019, only half of companies were planning to implement AI solutions, but now that number has increased to 82%.
“Everyone is starting to get into the game,” Daigle said.
This has led to job opportunities for today's university students. He cited statistics showing that job growth in the AI field over the next 10 years is projected to be 23%, with a median salary of $136,000.
“Many of you may not be working in the AI field, but you will be working with artificial intelligence,” he told the students.
While AI has raised concerns as a destroyer of data privacy and jobs, Daigle pointed to positive uses, such as retail companies adopting AI to prevent theft. He also cited examples such as environmental nonprofits that use AI to track endangered and invasive species. He told the story of a woman suffering from ALS, a neurodegenerative disease that ultimately leads to paralysis and death. She is using AI to create a digital avatar so that her voice will not be suppressed as the disease progresses.
“This is a really powerful way to use AI for good,” Daigle said.
He concluded by telling students to be curious and bold and to let AI be their superpower.
“You will be the pioneers of this new era,” Daigle said. “AI offers a canvas as big as our imagination.”
Daigle, who earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the College of Business Administration, said he was happy to be able to give back to ECU by doing what many alumni do: presenting at the summit.
“Most of my family graduated from East Carolina. My mom, sister, and brother did their undergraduate and graduate programs here, so any chance I have to support ECU I would be happy to do so.” he said. “It was really exciting for me to be involved and coming back was like home for me too.”
Michael Rudd contributed to this article.
Other blogs
