NATCHITOCHES – “AI works 120 million times faster than the human brain,” according to Dr. Neilank Jha, neurosurgeon, spine specialist and researcher. But AI — artificial intelligence — still needs human oversight. “The ideal approach is human/AI decision-making.”
Jha, a behavior economist – one who studies human behavior and decision-making — was one of three distinguished speakers at the “Leadership in the Age of AI” forum at Northwestern State University March 19. NSU alumni Monty Chicola, a software developer and entrepreneur, and Dr. Julian Bailes, neurosurgeon and expert on brain injuries, also offered insights into what lies ahead as artificial intelligence changes the way people live, work and make decisions.
“AI’s capabilities are mind-blowing,” said Chicola, “AI is not going away.”
Chicola, founder of Real Vision Software, is currently teaching an artificial intelligence programming course at NSU in partnership with IBM. He said developing American-based AI software is important because of the U.S.’s political and economic stability, as AI is increasingly applied to commerce, communications, medicine, athletics, entertainment and most other facets of modern life.
“NSU is positioned for leadership, research and innovation and will be integrating AI into academic programs and research initiatives,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Greg Handel, who moderated the panel.
The forum provided a platform to pay tribute to the late philanthropist Lola Walker Dunahoe by announcing that Wednesday’s event would serve as the inaugural Dunahoe Lecture Series, to be held annually. The Dunahoe family recently established the Lola Walker Dunahoe Endowed Chair in Interdisciplinary Studies, with NSU naming Jha the chair’s Distinguished Professor in Leadership and Neuroeconomics.
Natchitoches native Bailes discussed how AI is being used in neurosurgery and its implications for the future. He currently uses advanced GPS technology in surgical navigation, imaging and ultrasound. A nationally recognized expert on concussions, Bailes shared sobering statistics on brain injuries associated with contact sports and how AI technology can be applied to examine a patient’s brain, currently only possible through autopsy, to generate a living diagnosis. AI can be used to read images, analyze massive amounts of data and power care coordination, saving time and lives.
“This is how important AI already is and how it will be more so,” Bailes said.
Jha, who also studies the brain and spine, identified Bailes as a significant mentor and elaborated on how AI can be used to treat brain cancer. In development is a pump that could be implanted into a tumor, bypassing the blood brain barrier, treating the tumor directly without affecting the whole body. Adding a chip to the pump would enable doctors to track data, detect risks and make informed assessments.
Jha also discussed how AI can be used to solve problems with business, industry and municipal operations by processing large amounts of data to optimize decision-making, which can result in streamlined workflows, enhanced data security and improved customer experiences.
As NSU’s new Distinguished Professor in Leadership and Neuroeconomics, Jha plans to work with faculty in the School of Business to build a consulting group that will work with business and industry to solve problems in Natchitoches and the northwest Louisiana region.
What AI can’t do is replace human experience and judgement and there are ethical considerations, Jha said.
Wednesday’s forum was part of university initiatives to integrate AI education into its curriculum, including the development of AI driven programming and interdisciplinary leadership courses. The forum and the Lola Walker Dunahoe Endowed Chair are aimed at attracting top talent in interdisciplinary studies.
Wednesday’s forum was announced as the inaugural Dunahoe Lecture Series, honoring the late Lola Walker Dunahoe and her family for establishing the Lola Walker Dunahoe Endowed Chair in Interdisciplinary Studies. From left are NSU President James Genovese, Edwin Dunahoe, Jared Dunahoe, Ann-Marie Dunahoe, Danielle Dunahoe, Jefferson Dunahoe, Beth Bratten, Abby Reynolds, Ashley Reynolds and Jason Dunahoe.
