The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will host an exciting showcase of AI innovation this week, as the (AWS) AI Pitch Competition comes to the Reynolds Business Building on Thursday, April 16, 2026.

The Little Rock event is part of a broader national initiative. and 鈥� both AWS Premier Tier Services Partners 鈥� have partnered with universities, small business development centers, and community organizations across the country to bring AI pitch competitions to local innovators. Past competitions have been held in Iowa, Alaska, Hawaii, Colorado, Texas, Florida and beyond, with winners receiving transformative support to accelerate their AI solutions on AWS.

The competition is straightforward: innovators pitch their AI solutions live on stage to a panel of judges. The winner walks away with up to $50,000 in technical services funded by AWS. That prize brings real support, guidance and resources.

鈥淎t the , we work with businesses every day that are looking for ways to grow and stay competitive. AI is becoming part of that conversation, and this competition highlights how Arkansas entrepreneurs are putting it to work in real, meaningful ways,鈥� said Laura Fine, state director of the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center.

The two partners behind the prize bring serious credentials. PREDICTif, founded in 2007, holds nine validated AWS Competency designations, including Generative AI and Conversational AI, with deep expertise in data and analytics, AI/ML and cloud migrations. nClouds, a 2024 AWS Partner of the Year Award Finalist, rounds out the partnership with extensive cloud engineering, DevOps, security and managed services capabilities.

The evening kicks off with check-in and networking at 5:30 p.m., followed by welcome remarks and partner introductions. The main event, live AI pitches, runs from 6:10 to 7:40 p.m., giving each competitor the chance to present their solution and answer questions from judges. After a brief deliberation period, winners will be announced at 7:50 p.m., followed by a closing networking session.

Even if you’re not pitching, it’s worth showing up. The networking windows at the start and end of the evening are excellent opportunities, and watching a few live AI pitches with Q&A is a great way to get a read on where practical AI development is headed right now.

The competition is free and open to the public. Students, faculty, staff and community members are all encouraged to attend and support the innovators taking the stage. Whether you’re an entrepreneur with an AI idea, a tech enthusiast, or simply curious about where artificial intelligence is headed, this event offers a rare opportunity to witness the next wave of AI innovation up close 鈥� right here in Little Rock.

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The role grew out of strategic use of the department鈥檚 Marie Wilson Howells Endowment, a fund dedicated to the study of the mind. Rather than supporting traditional programming, faculty chose to invest in a dedicated AI research position with no teaching obligations, allowing for focused work in a rapidly evolving field. The move builds on ongoing efforts to integrate AI into the discipline, including updated coursework and faculty development.

Jozranjbar鈥檚 position is distinct from traditional academic roles. Like many other universities, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is expanding its technical AI offerings, with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in AI set to launch in fall 2026. While that program focuses on building and applying AI systems, the scholar-in-residence role asks a different set of questions 鈥� examining how AI affects human thinking, learning and decision-making. Without a teaching load, the position allows for flexible, forward-looking research that can inform institutional decisions in real time.

Her work centers on trust calibration 鈥� understanding when people overtrust or undertrust AI systems and how that impacts learning. As AI becomes more common in educational settings, that question is increasingly important. The role also brings a psychological science perspective to AI, applying frameworks around trust, bias and decision-making to better understand how people interact with these systems. In addition to research, Jozranjbar contributes to university-wide conversations on AI strategy, ethics and policy, and supports outreach efforts aimed at improving AI literacy.

One of her key contributions this year is the development of an AI literacy curriculum, currently being piloted in introductory psychology courses with the goal of broader adoption across the department. The curriculum gives students across disciplines a practical understanding of how AI works and how to use it responsibly, with each module shaped by classroom feedback.

鈥淪tudents in every field need a practical mental model of how AI works,鈥� Jozranjbar said, 鈥渨here it can help, where it can fail, and how to use it responsibly.鈥�

Jozranjbar鈥檚 impact extends beyond her research portfolio. Women have long been underrepresented in STEM fields, and the gap has become more pronounced with the rise of AI, where women make up a small fraction of researchers, tenure-track faculty and senior leadership roles globally. That underrepresentation is not simply a pipeline issue. When the teams designing and studying AI lack diverse perspectives, the systems they build risk reflecting those same blind spots. Her presence in a role dedicated to researching how AI affects human thinking, trust and decision-making brings a perspective the field needs.

鈥淲omen in STEM is a big issue in academia,鈥� Elisabeth Sherwin, chair of the Department of Psychological Science, said. 鈥淗aving our inaugural scholar be a woman with a hard-science focus was particularly gratifying.鈥�

Jozranjbar will join the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock faculty as a full-time member next year, bringing with her the research momentum, institutional relationships and AI literacy work she has built during this inaugural year. What started as a creative use of an endowment has become something larger 鈥� a model for how a psychology department can navigate a fast-moving technological moment without losing sight of the human questions at its center. The work is ongoing, and the questions Jozranjbar is asking about trust, learning and what it means to think alongside machines are becoming increasingly relevant.

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Acclaimed scholar will speak on AI, creativity, and the future of work in his free public talk, Thinking, Work, and Creativity in the Age of AI, on March 31 at 5:30 p.m. Open to students, faculty, staff, and the broader Little Rock community this event is part of the university鈥檚 ongoing commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue around the issues that matter most to our region and our world.

鈥淒r. Bowen is a dynamic, charismatic Renaissance man and a gifted speaker, so he is particularly well-suited to offer a public talk. We hope the community takes advantage of his visit and attends his talk,鈥� said Dr. Elisabeth Sherwin, Chair and Professor of the Department of Psychological Science.聽

While the public talk is a highlight, it鈥檚 just one part of a broader visit designed to engage the campus in meaningful, practical ways. Dr. Bowen will deliver four presentations focused on AI.

On Tuesday, March 31, he will lead a full-day workshop, sponsored by the Department of Psychological Science and the Marie Wilson Howells鈥� Endowment, co-sponsored by the Academy for Teaching and Learning Excellence (ATLE), and supported by the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education. The workshop will cover AI literacy, tools, prompting techniques, and practical strategies for designing AI-informed assignments, while addressing issues such as grading and academic integrity. That evening at 5:30 p.m., in the Engineering and Information Technology (EIT) auditorium, Dr. Bowen will give a public talk on how AI is transforming work, communication and human creativity. 

On Wednesday, April 1, Dr. Bowen will host a student session with the Student Government Association (SGA), on thriving in an AI-driven world, then conclude with a second workshop on redesigning online courses for the age of AI, covering strategies to improve learning, support academic integrity and integrate custom AI tools.

For Sherwin, who helped organize the visit, bringing Dr. Bowen to campus is a natural expression of what Trojans do 鈥� trying new approaches, forging unique partnerships and seeking creative solutions.

鈥淲e are 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, that means we are part of the greater Little Rock metropolitan community,鈥� Sherwin said. 鈥淭o the Department of Psychological Science, that means that what we do should benefit the communities of which we are part, whether our students, faculty and staff or the larger public. In this instance, it includes a public-facing opportunity with speakers we invite. This maximizes impact and provides insight into the issues we engage with, which have recently included wrestling with the current disruptor 鈥� artificial intelligence.鈥�

Bowen鈥檚 visit is one of several efforts the Department of Psychological Science has led to help campus and the broader community grapple with AI鈥檚 growing impact. Events like this public talk extend that work beyond campus walls, inviting the broader community to think critically and creatively alongside the campus. This talk is free and open to the public. At 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, we believe that when our community learns together, everyone moves forward. Visit the event page for full event details, including date, time, and location.

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According to Dr. Aaron Duvall, director of workforce development at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, two out of every three jobs will be exposed to AI as it continues to become normalized in daily tasks. Rather than resulting in fewer jobs, he sees the rise of AI reimagining the way people work altogether.

鈥淲ithin the next four years, over 60% of jobs will have job task changes 鈥� not layoffs, but a reimagining of the way work is being done,鈥� Duvall said. 鈥淚n that case, it鈥檚 interesting that half the people in the workforce right now have had zero AI training in the past year. It creates a big gap.鈥�

Employers want their employees to have AI skills as they enter the workforce, and experts such as Dr. Duvall and 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Tech Entrepreneur-in-Residence Marla Johnson see these skills as a necessity in today鈥檚 constantly evolving technical landscape. Through new training initiatives, industry partnerships, and hands-on events for students, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is working to ensure graduates are prepared to work in an AI-driven economy.

AI tools are already helping businesses streamline everyday work. Tasks that once required hours of manual effort 鈥� such as compiling reports, analyzing data, or summarizing meetings 鈥� can now be completed in minutes with AI support. Duvall said AI often changes how long tasks take rather than eliminating the work itself, allowing employees to focus on higher-level decision-making.

In her current role, Johnson works with STEM faculty and students to commercialize research and build high-growth startups. A technology entrepreneur and business leader with more than 30 years of experience in innovation and company building, she encourages students to use AI, saying they will not be as competitive candidates in the workforce if they do not know how to use these tools to their full potential. Her advice is to become an expert in how AI is used in your specific field.

鈥淚t will be a competitive disadvantage for my students if they are starting a company and they don鈥檛 know how to apply AI toward their market research or pitch presentation development, for example,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 specifically teach my students prompts to use and ways to utilize AI in order to develop ideas into an actual business plan.鈥�

Being workforce ready has taken on a whole new meaning in this AI-driven economy. Entering the job market now requires the skills and knowledge not only to use AI as a support tool but also to support business needs. 

鈥淲e have to move from fear to fluency with AI,鈥� Johnson said. 鈥淭he limits of what these tools can do are really your clarity of thinking and your imagination.鈥�

Duvall draws an important distinction between simply using AI tools and understanding how to apply them effectively in the workplace. While many workers are experimenting with tools like ChatGPT, far fewer know how to integrate them into real workflows or use them to improve productivity and decision-making.

Duvall said the university is working to help students acquire these skills in order to be leaders and trendsetters in AI as they enter the workforce. The skills highlighted include advanced prompting, deep research with AI, and the ability to build and use AI-powered agents to automate everyday tasks. 

Beyond preparing students, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is also working to connect AI innovation with industry and the broader community. Johnson also coordinates AI training and education programs for companies and community members and regularly hosts events and workshops that bring together students, faculty, and business leaders to explore how AI can be applied to real-world challenges.

One example is the university鈥檚 鈥淐oding for Wellness鈥� AI hackathon, which brings together students from across the state to develop technology solutions focused on healthcare and wellness. During the event, students collaborate with mentors from healthcare organizations and industry partners to design applications that address real problems.

While the technology is evolving rapidly, both Duvall and Johnson emphasize that AI should be viewed as a tool that enhances human work rather than replaces it entirely. According to Johnson, critical thinking is essential to effective AI use. Users must be able to evaluate and question the information it provides, using the technology not just for answers but as a thought partner that challenges ideas and helps expand knowledge.

鈥淲orkers who use AI are going to replace workers who don鈥檛,鈥� Johnson said. 鈥淐ompanies are looking for innovative, creative people who understand how these tools can help solve problems and improve processes.鈥�

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is working to ensure students graduate with the skills needed to work alongside AI rather than fear it, positioning them to lead in the workforce of the future.

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The Board approved a Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.E.) in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Artificial Intelligence. 

鈥淭hese degrees address two very different but equally important needs in Arkansas,鈥� said Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ann Bain. 鈥淭hey give students practical pathways into high-demand fields while supporting the long-term needs of our region, and I鈥檓 proud of our faculty for listening to our community and responding in meaningful ways.鈥�

The new bachelor鈥檚 degree in Early Childhood Education will be housed in the School of Education and will prepare graduates to teach children from pre-kindergarten through second grade. The program responds to a growing shortage of highly qualified early childhood educators across Central Arkansas.

The program is strengthened by a recent gift of $4.2M from the Trinity Foundation, which supports curriculum development, instructional materials, and faculty resources aimed at preparing classroom-ready early childhood educators.

Rachel Eells, director of the School of Education, said the degree reflects both community demand and the university鈥檚 mission to be a strong community partner.

鈥淪trong early learning experiences shape everything that comes after,鈥� Eells said. 鈥淭his program allows us to prepare teachers who are ready to support young learners and families while helping address a critical need in Arkansas schools.鈥�

The Board also approved a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Artificial Intelligence, a new program housed in the Department of Computer Science. Designed as a stand-alone degree, the program offers focused coursework in areas such as machine learning, data analytics, robotics, and ethical AI applications.

Dr. Ahmed AbuHalimeh, chair of the Department of Computer Science, said the program was developed in response to rapid growth in AI-related careers across multiple industries.

鈥淎rtificial intelligence is already transforming how organizations operate,鈥� AbuHalimeh said. 鈥淭his program gives students the technical skills and applied experience needed to succeed in a fast-changing field while supporting workforce needs in Arkansas and beyond.鈥�

The proposal for both degrees will be forwarded to the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board for its consideration. If approved, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock plans to begin offering the degrees in fall 2026.

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The event, titled 鈥�The Ethics of AI,鈥� is free and open to the public. The panel will bring together experts from computer science, philosophy, history, and information science to explore questions at the heart of today鈥檚 AI revolution: What does it mean to use AI ethically? What concerns does the rapid proliferation of AI pose? And what is at risk if society ignores the ethical challenges tied to artificial intelligence?

The panelists include Dr. Jonathan Bona, assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Informatics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences; Dr. Megan Fritts Cabrera, assistant professor of philosophy at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock; Dr. Kristin Mann, professor of history at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and coordinator of the Secondary Social Studies Education program; and Dale Rutherford, a Ph.D. candidate in information science at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and researcher with the Center for Ethical AI. Dr. Marta Cieslak, director of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Downtown, will serve as moderator.

Each panelist brings a unique perspective to the discussion. Bona has researched AI for nearly two decades, applying artificial intelligence techniques to medicine, biology, and health. Cabrera specializes in technology ethics, with current work focused on how emerging technologies threaten to undermine essential conditions for human flourishing. Mann is examining how AI is reshaping the teaching of history and social studies in K-12 and higher education. Rutherford, whose research focuses on the ethical integration of AI, works with companies through the Center for Ethical AI to help them adopt AI responsibly.

鈥淭he rapid proliferation of AI poses great ethical concerns, including security and privacy of data, manipulation of users, and environmental costs,鈥� Cieslak said. 鈥淲e won鈥檛 answer all the questions, but we hope that by bringing together experts representing various disciplines we can open an important community conversation. If you are wondering about what it means to use AI ethically or whether that鈥檚 even possible, this panel is for you. And if you have never thought about the ethical implications of AI development, then you should definitely join us on Oct. 9.鈥�

The panel will be held at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Downtown, 333 President Clinton Ave. For more information, email downtown@ualr.edu.

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The courses, including Supercharge Your Marketing Strategy with AI and Basics of AI for Better Living, aim to give business leaders, marketing professionals, and curious learners hands-on experience with AI tools that are transforming industries.

鈥淭hese courses are about more than learning technology. They鈥檙e about giving professionals the ability to apply AI to real business challenges, solve problems creatively, and gain a competitive edge,鈥� said Marla Johnson, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 tech-entrepreneur-in-residence and instructor for several courses.

Johnson, a tech entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in innovation and digital transformation, leads classes that combine strategy, tools, and hands-on application.

The new offerings include:

路   : A four-week certificate program teaching marketers how to leverage ChatGPT and other AI tools to accelerate campaign planning, uncover customer insights, and generate content at scale.

路 聽 : A 1.5-hour, beginner-friendly course introducing AI for everyday applications, from planning travel to organizing hobbies.

路   Customized AI Solutions for Business: Tailored AI consulting and training to help companies integrate AI tools for operations, marketing, and customer engagement. 

These courses are designed to meet a wide range of professional and personal goals. Dr. Aaron Duvall, executive director of workforce development at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, said the programs provide practical, immediately applicable skills.

鈥淲hether someone is new to AI or looking to implement advanced solutions in their business, participants will leave these courses with actionable strategies they can apply right away,鈥� Duvall said.

In the Customized AI Solutions for Business program, Johnson will provide company-specific training and consulting, helping organizations build AI-driven tools and streamline processes, with every team training tailored to each individual company鈥檚 goals and systems. You can schedule a free consultation by contacting Johnson at mkjohnson@ualr.edu or Nick Stevens, director of extended education, at njstevens@ualr.edu. 

Other courses, like Supercharge Your Marketing Strategy with AI, are aimed at marketing professionals seeking to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape. This course will take place from 6-8 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays from Oct. 6-29 with seven live virtual sessions and one networking event (Oct. 29) at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Downtown, 333 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock.

Research shows that marketers using generative AI report productivity gains of 5-15 percent and improved personalization at scale, yet only 29 percent of marketers feel confident using AI today, highlighting the demand for upskilling. Participants will earn an AI for Business Certificate upon completion of the program.

The Basics of AI for Better Living course also opens the doors to nontechnical learners, including seniors, retirees, and anyone curious about integrating AI into daily life, making this technology more approachable and practical to use in everyday life. Sessions this fall will be offered from 3-4:30 p.m. Sept. 19 and 9:30-11 a.m. Oct. 17 in the Reynolds Business Building Room 108.

You can find out more information and register for these courses by visiting the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock .

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The two-day event will feature presentations from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock faculty, workshops designed to support research development, and two keynote lectures from , a renowned economist, author, and professor at King鈥檚 College London.

Susskind, widely recognized for his work on technology and the future of work, will give a lecture for 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students and employees on Thursday, Sept. 4, from 2-3:30 p.m. in the University Theatre, Center for Performing Arts. The lecture, 鈥淭he Future of Education and AI,鈥� will focus on the role of artificial intelligence in our world and how it will impact the future of education, especially higher education. This lecture will be followed by a book signing and reception in the lobby from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock will also welcome Susskind for a public lecture, 鈥�The Future of Work and AI,鈥� from 2-3:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, in the University Theatre. The lecture will explore how artificial intelligence is transforming professions, reshaping the economy, and creating new opportunities for growth. Following the presentation, Susskind will sign copies of his acclaimed books from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the lobby.

Registration for both lectures are required. Fill out the to sign up.

鈥淲e鈥檙e honored to welcome Dr. Daniel Susskind to our campus for this year鈥檚 CBHHS Research Symposium,鈥� said Dr. Tusty ten Bensel, associate dean of CBHHS. 鈥淎s artificial intelligence continues to reshape the landscape of education, we must engage in forward-thinking conversations. Dr. Susskind brings a global perspective and insight into how AI can be leveraged to enhance teaching, learning, and our understanding of how AI will impact our professions in the future. This is a timely and vital conversation for students, educators, researchers, and community members alike, and we鈥檙e thrilled to provide a platform for it here.鈥�

Susskind is the author of 鈥淎 World Without Work: Technology, Automation, and How We Should Respond鈥� and co-author of 鈥淭he Future of the Professions.鈥� His research examines how technology and AI are transforming economies and professional life.

In addition to Susskind鈥檚 lectures, the symposium will highlight innovative research from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock faculty who won CBHHS seed grants. This special presentation will take place from 9-10:30 a.m. Sept. 4 in Reynolds 103. The research projects include:

• Dr. Suzanne Coble, School of Criminal Justice and Criminology, 鈥淓valuating the Effects of Attorney Questioning Strategies on Jurors鈥� Perception of Victim Credibility in Child Sexual Abuse Trials鈥�
• Dr. Seunghyun Kim and Dr. Casey Rockwell, School of Business, 鈥淚nfluence and Integrity: Developing a Deepfake Video Generation Tool to Analyze the Impact of Financial Influencers on Consumer Behavior鈥�
• Dr. Meagan Beaty, Dr. Katelyn Wilson, Jami Hollingsworth, and Raphael James, School of Counseling, Human Performance, and Rehabilitation, 鈥淧roject for Preserving American Sign Language in Arkansas鈥�

Workshops will provide faculty with practical support for research development. Criminal Justice Professors Dr. Bob Lytle and Dr. ten Bensel will talk about how to write and apply for a successful National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) grant from 12:15-1:30 p.m. Sept. 4 in Reynolds 103. Additionally, Dr. Laura Danforth, interim co-director of the School of Social Work, will speak about 鈥淨ualitative Research 101鈥� from 12:15-1:30 p.m. Sept. 5 in Reynolds 107. Fill out to register for one or both workshops.

The CBHHS Research Symposium is free and open to the campus community. The featured speakeris made possible through the support of the Department of Psychological Science, the Marie Wilson Howells Endowment, the School of Business Kempner Lecture Series, the College of Business, Health, and Human Services, and the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Graduate School.

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Susskind, a professor at King鈥檚 College London and leading voice on the future of work and technology, will present 鈥�The Future of Work and AI.鈥� The lecture will explore how artificial intelligence is transforming professions, reshaping the economy, and creating new opportunities for growth.

Following the presentation, Susskind will sign copies of his acclaimed books 鈥� 鈥�A World Without Work: Technology, Automation, and How We Should We Respond鈥� and 鈥淭he Future of the Professions.鈥�

鈥淲e鈥檙e thrilled to welcome Dr. Daniel Susskind to campus for a conversation that is not only timely, but essential,鈥� said Dr. Tusty ten Bensel, associate dean of the College of Business, Health, and Human Services (CBHHS). 鈥淗is expertise provides valuable insight into how AI will continue to impact our economy and workforce, and this lecture offers our community an important opportunity to engage with these big questions.鈥�

Susskind, who previously served as a policy advisor in the UK government, is widely recognized for his research on technology and the future of work. His work has been featured around the world for its practical insight into how automation and AI can be harnessed to improve society.

Susskind also serves as the Mercers鈥� School Memorial Professor of Business at Gresham College, a senior research associate at the Institute for Ethics in AI at Oxford University, a digital fellow at the Stanford Digital Economy Lab, and an associate member of the Economics Department at Oxford University.

The Sept. 5 lecture is part of the 2025 CBHHS Research Symposium at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. The event is presented at no cost thanks to the support of the Department of Psychological Science, the Marie Wilson Howells Endowment, the School of Business Kempner Lecture Series, the College of Business, Health, and Human Services, and the Graduate School.

Both the lecture and book signing are free and open to the public, but registration is required. Fill out the to sign up.

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Students can enroll in the fall course, Foundations of AI (CPSI 23803), the first course in the upcoming Applied AI Certificate program offered through the Department of Computer Science in the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The course requires no prerequisites and is open to students in all majors.

鈥淎I is transforming the modern workplace,鈥� said Dr. Philip Huff, associate professor of cybersecurity and director of cybersecurity research. 鈥淭his course gives students a broad, accessible way to explore how AI is used across industries and how they can apply it in their own future careers.鈥�

This course will be taught by Dr. Billy Spann, an accomplished technology leader and assistant professor of computer science at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. With over two decades of experience in wireless telecom engineering, Spann connects industry-scale problem solving to the classroom. 

Spann holds a Ph.D. in Computer and Information Science from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, along with an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. His career includes serving as director of engineering at Windstream and as a postdoctoral research fellow at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 COSMOS lab, where he researched social media and online behavior analytics.

Foundations of AI covers the basics of AI and machine learning, examines how AI is redefining human and machine intelligence, and offers students hands-on experience with real-world tools and applications. Students will also gain insight into how AI is shaping the future of work and how to stay ahead of it.

Dr. Sandra Leiterman, cybersecurity education research professor, emphasized the value for students entering today鈥檚 job market.

鈥淚t鈥檚 the wave of the future. Having technical fluency in applied AI will give students a leg up,鈥� Leiterman said. 鈥淓mployers are actively looking for candidates with this kind of skill set, and this course can help make students even more competitive.鈥�

The Applied AI Certificate program, set to launch fully in 2026, will include two stackable certificates: a 15-credit-hour certificate of proficiency followed by a 15-credit-hour technical certificate.

The Applied AI Certificate program is supported by a grant from the Higher Industry Readiness through Educational Development (HIRED) Program. The certificate is included in , a state program that helps employers quickly access a pool of qualified, ready-to-hire candidates with specific skills and experiences needed to fill open positions.

Any 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock student who would like to enroll should speak to their academic advisor. For more information on the course, contact Leiterman at saleiterman@ualr.edu or Huff at pdhuff@ualr.edu.

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