Elizabeth Ricks is back on Deacs.AI, and she brought along a good friend, Javier Guillen of Microsoft. Both educators and industry veterans, they discuss how artificial intelligence has actually changed the fields of data analytics, healthcare, and the classroom — and when it's the right move to hand over control to the AI. Prognosticating into the near future, they warn why an opinion you formed about AI two years ago is already out of date. Finally, they leave us with the secret to unlocking transformational power — curiosity is the skill that makes any of this work.

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AI can brainstorm, prototype, and accelerate ideas—but it can't replace the human drive behind entrepreneurship. Rebecca Gill joins Deacs.AI to unpack what it really means to be entrepreneurial, why authentic experiences create the best innovations, and how AI is forcing educators to rethink teaching, learning, and academic integrity. Whether you're building a startup, teaching in higher education, or trying to understand AI's impact on creativity, this episode offers practical insights into where humans still have the edge.

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Wake Forest Computer Science professor, William Cochran, who also holds an affiliation with the Program for Leadership and Character, developed a popular first year seminar called AI and Humanity: Foundations for Our Future. This episode includes the complete series, opening with William talking with Michael and Ryan about the impetus for creating the course, the mechanics of running it, how he assesses the students, the relevant course materials, and how it has evolved each semester that he has taught it. After listening to the professor, stay tuned for all of the subsequent student segments as we get the opportunity to hear the actual student assignments.

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During the 2026 spring semester, Wake Forest Computer Science professor, William Cochran, held his popular first year seminar called AI and Humanity: Foundations for Our Future. For one of the assignments, Cochran asked his students to read Ethan Mollicks book, Co-Intelligence, and create a mini podcast episode about a chapter that resonated with them. In Part 7, the final episode of this multi-part series, we hear from more of our students as they discuss Chapter 9, AI as Our Future. Please note that certain portions of the assignment have been lightly edited from their original format for content purposes or to comply with student wishes.

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During the 2026 spring semester, Wake Forest Computer Science professor, William Cochran, held his popular first year seminar called AI and Humanity: Foundations for Our Future. For one of the assignments, Cochran asked his students to read Ethan Mollicks book, Co-Intelligence, and create a mini podcast episode about a chapter that resonated with them. In Part 6 of this multi-part series, we hear from more of our students as they discuss Chapter 8, AI as a Coach. Please note that certain portions of the assignment have been lightly edited from their original format for content purposes or to comply with student wishes.

For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at

During the 2026 spring semester, Wake Forest Computer Science professor, William Cochran, held his popular first year seminar called AI and Humanity: Foundations for Our Future. For one of the assignments, Cochran asked his students to read Ethan Mollicks book, Co-Intelligence, and create a mini podcast episode about a chapter that resonated with them. In Part 5 of this multi-part series, we hear from more of our students as they discuss Chapter 7, AI as a Tutor. Please note that certain portions of the assignment have been lightly edited from their original format for content purposes or to comply with student wishes.

For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at

During the 2026 spring semester, Wake Forest Computer Science professor, William Cochran, held his popular first year seminar called AI and Humanity: Foundations for Our Future. For one of the assignments, Cochran asked his students to read Ethan Mollicks book, Co-Intelligence, and create a mini podcast episode about a chapter that resonated with them. In Part 4 of this multi-part series, we hear from more of our students as they discuss Chapter 7, AI as a Tutor. Please note that certain portions of the assignment have been lightly edited from their original format for content purposes or to comply with student wishes.

For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at

During the 2026 spring semester, Wake Forest Computer Science professor, William Cochran, held his popular first year seminar called AI and Humanity: Foundations for Our Future. For one of the assignments, Cochran asked his students to read Ethan Mollicks book, Co-Intelligence, and create a mini podcast episode about a chapter that resonated with them. In Part 3 of this multi-part series, we hear from more of our students as they discuss Chapter 6, AI as a Co-worker. Please note that certain portions of the assignment have been lightly edited from their original format for content purposes or to comply with student wishes.

For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at

During the 2026 spring semester, Wake Forest Computer Science professor, William Cochran, held his popular first year seminar called AI and Humanity: Foundations for Our Future. For one of the assignments, Cochran asked his students to read Ethan Mollicks book, Co-Intelligence, and create a mini podcast episode about a chapter that resonated with them. In Part 2 of this multi-part series, we hear from our first pair of students as they discuss Chapter 4, AI as a Person. Please note that certain portions of the assignment have been lightly edited from their original format for content purposes or to comply with student wishes.

For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at

Wake Forest Computer Science professor, William Cochran, who also holds an affiliation with the Program for Leadership and Character, developed a popular first year seminar called AI and Humanity: Foundations for Our Future. In Part 1 of this multi-part episode, William talks to Michael and Ryan about the impetus for creating the course, the mechanics of running it, how he assesses the students, the relevant course materials, and how it has evolved each semester that he’s taught it. After listening to the professor, stay tuned all week for the subsequent episode segments as we get the opportunity to hear the actual student assignments.

For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at