Deacs.AI

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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While they may appear to some as fantastical, university Finance departments are not run with magic. Kim Crewey and Allison Belton are in the trenches, using digital agents to untangle complex account reconciliations, custom chatbots to improve customer service, and specialized knowledge bases to demystify dozens of financial policies. This is a practical look at how technology is revolutionizing the day-to-day work of an AI-first Finance team. Listen to how their journey went from bewildering initial impressions to sophisticated automated efficiency.

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Generative AI is sold as the ultimate solution to writer's block and creative struggle. We're all tempted by the promise of a perfect, polished result without the painful work. But what if the very struggle and failure we're trying to escape is the most vital part of the creative process? Writing professors Ryan Shirey and Carter Smith argue that in our rush to embrace AI's effortless perfection, we are being seduced into giving up something essential: the messy, difficult process of actually forming our own thoughts.

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What if your final paper wasn't a paper at all, but a custom digital brain you built yourself? Physics professor, and mad scientist, Jed Macosko threw out the old rulebook and turned his classroom into an AI laboratory. He didn't just allow his students to use new thinking tools—he challenged them to master them. Hear how freshmen are vibe-coding their own apps, replacing essays with agents, and discovering how to create their own sidekicks. In these chaotic times, Macosko's approach proves the enduring value of a professor is not to provide answers, but to be the coach who inspires young minds to find their own.

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Years ago, he declared "Career Services Must Die." Now, as intelligent systems rewrite the rules for professional success, Wake Forest's Vice President for Personal and Career Development, Andy Chan, returns with an even bolder message: it's time to stop chasing job titles and start building a life. This episode is a masterclass on navigating the new world of work. Learn why an entrepreneurial mindset is essential, how to turn networking into genuine relationship-building, and the steps you can take today to make your career path both fulfilling and future-proof. Discover why the key to a meaningful future isn't a better resume, but a deeper connection to our own humanity.

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Get ready to explore the game-changing new features that have completely redesigned Google's Notebook LM. In this episode, we're joined by Ryan to break down the massive, surprise update that has users buzzing. We'll take you through the revamped Studio panel, from the four new audio overview formats—including briefs, critiques, and debates—to the ability to customize output language, length, and focus.

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