Deacs.AI

Take that cheat machines! Smarter learning is here. A cadre of new educational tools from Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic have arrived just in time for school to start. Built with scientifically backed pedagogical techniques, will these concept mastery tools be embraced by students? Have we unlocked the future of learning? Take a quick tour and then go try them for yourself.

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Generative AI isn't just a new technology—it's a new frontier in human communication. We're joined by James Proszek, Director of Public Speaking, who provides a rich, historical context for our current AI moment, comparing society's reaction to everything from Plato's fear of the written word to the rise of chatbots. This episode unpacks the 'Black Box' of AI, exploring how we teach, communicate, and define truth in an era of automated rhetoric.

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Join Ryan and Michael as they discuss what goes into making the Deacs.AI podcast. It may surprise you to find out that it takes quite a bit of work. From the workflow, to the recording, to the editing, hear how "the sausage is made." It may also surprise you, or not, to find out that Ryan and Michael utilize quite a bit of AI while making the sausage!

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Accessibility innovations make the world a better place for everyone. Audiobooks anyone? Automatic doors. Your AI voice assistant. Director of Technology Accessibility Eudora Struble imagines a world where technology empowers every single person. She lays out a roadmap for using artificial intelligence to build a more inclusive future with thoughtful design and human-centered principles.

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Where do you even begin with learning about Generative AI on campus? Look no further, as Sarah Wojcik-Gross joins us to navigate the central hub for all things AI at Wake Forest. We highlight key resources including the official guidelines, hands-on workshops for tools like Adobe Firefly, the annual AI Fest, and the Deacs.AI podcast itself.

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Wake Forest Professor of Practice Juan Hernandez lives a double life. In his day job, as an industry Head of Artificial Intelligence, he uses AI to produce results, drive market strategy, and spark productivity through ideation and eliminating meetings. In his part-time gig, he shapes the minds of the new up-and-coming business elite by guiding them toward knowledge self-acquisition. His secret AI superpower ... Retrieval Augmented Generation.

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What has the AI revolution looked like from a student's point of view? We're joined by Gabe Martineau, a recent Wake Forest graduate, who shares his unique experience of starting college before the ChatGPT boom and finishing after. Discover how faculty approaches, student usage, and the very nature of learning have evolved in just a few short years.

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Remember those awkward telethon calls at dinnertime? The University Advancement team came up with a pretty wild idea to connect with alumni across generations, moving beyond old tactics to build deeply genuine relationships using an artificial intelligence agent. Uhh, what? Hear how they're using an AI-powered Virtual Engagement Officer to redefine connection, boost donor engagement without an army of human fundraisers, achieve an astonishingly low opt-out rate, and even learn Wake Forest's unique campus lingo. Don't worry, she won't say, "Go Demon Deacons!" We discuss the unexpected benefits, the challenges of ceding control to AI, and the profound implications for how organizations will foster community and support in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Prepare to rethink what's possible.

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We are on the cusp of an educational renaissance, but is it at the cost of human social skills? According to Shannon McKeen, generative artificial intelligence is reshaping the very foundation of learning. In this episode, we'll debate how AI forces educators to rethink everything from assessment design to promoting genuine cognitive effort. Hear how he leverages artificial intelligence to foster deeper student engagement and prepare tomorrow's leaders for an unpredictable professional world. And that's not a dad joke, but ChatGPT has given him hundreds of them.

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It will be hard to out-nerd this episode in the future. Beyond professional applications, AI is becoming a powerful tool for personal passions and hobbies. Join Michael as he details how his friend uses generative AI to build immersive tabletop gaming campaigns, reducing hours of prep work and unlocking a new level of creativity for storytelling, character design, and in-game challenges.

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