On this special episode of Deacs.AI, we explore the intersection of liberal arts education and emerging technologies through the lens of Pro Humanitate. University leaders Mur Muchane, Vice President for Information Technology and CIO, and Anne Hardcastle, Associate Provost for Academic Affairs, detail how Wake Forest is integrating generative artificial intelligence into curricula, not as a replacement for human cognition, but as a partner in developing the critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills necessary for future leadership. They discuss the collaborative process between administrative and academic units to establish institutional guidelines that balance data security with academic freedom, ensuring a flexible framework that adapts to rapid technological advancements while preserving faculty agency and disciplinary nuance.

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Ryan, Sarah, and Michael report from Wake Forest AI Fest 2025 and give their impressions of some of the presentations and panels that they saw during day 2 and discuss what has stuck out to them so far.

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Ryan and Michael report from Wake Forest AI Fest 2025 and give their first impressions of some of the presentations and panels that they saw during day 1 and discuss what has stuck out to them so far.

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As AI begins to simulate human behavior, the lines between "processing" and "understanding" are blurring. But is an AI model actually conscious, or is it just a really efficient parrot? Join us as we welcome Dr. Kevin Jung to explore the philosophical and theological gaps between artificial intelligence and the human experience. Dr. Jung challenges the idea that AI can possess "personhood," arguing that while machines can out-compute us, they lack the private mental content required for true language and meaning. From the "colorblind" nature of Large Language Models to the Popes recent comments on technological innovation, we explore what it really means to be human in an automated world.

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We have spent the last few years enthralled by Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT. But leading researchers at Google DeepMind and Meta are already moving on to the next big thing: World Models. While LLMs predict the next word in a sentence, World Models predict the next frame in a video or the consequence of an action in physical space.

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From Plato to Python, alumnus Bill Zandi proves how his liberal arts degree combined with the power of generative artificial intelligence has removed the barriers to creation. The old rules of business are broken and he's rewritten them. Tune in as he doles out advice to graduating students and explains how anyone can now build a one-person conglomerate.

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How do you balance academic integrity with necessary innovation? In this episode, Michael and Ryan sit down with Chris Sheridan (Documentary Film Program) and William Cochran (Computer Science) from Wake Forest University. The group discusses their unique cross-departmental collaboration and the "Stoplight Approach" to AI assignments—defining when AI use is a "Go," when to proceed with caution, and when to stop. Tune in for a fascinating conversation on AI literacy, the "unwritten contract" between filmmakers and audiences, and the rise of "AI slop."

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Beware of brain rot (yup, we went there)! Computer Science professor and Triple Deac, Sarah Parsons, teaches us that when used properly, AI can be a powerful tool for education. But relying on it leads to lazy thinking and flawed outputs. Learn how this effervescent professor is redesigning her classroom to embrace the cognitive struggle, teach students to use AI as a co-pilot, not a pilot, and why a little productive friction is exactly what we need to succeed.

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From the soul of an artist to the health of our planet, what is the true price of artificial intelligence? Behavioral psychologist, Jason Fanning, confronts the heavy ethical and environmental toll of our new digital assistants. We traverse the AI universe covering topics such as what it means to learn, the massive energy consumption behind every query, and the fundamental question of what we're optimizing for: profit or people? Must we wade through evil slop to get to the abundant promised land?

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In this episode, Michael experiments with the AI platform Suno to reimagine familiar songs and reflects on the ethical challenges and creative possibilities of AI in music production.

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