Northwestern State University of Louisiana hosted its first annual “Leadership in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: A Forum” at Northwestern event to announce news establishments to the university and discussions by experts in several fields on the future of AI.
The forum opened up with the new establishment of the Lola Walker Dunahoe Endowed Chair in Interdisciplinary Studies. Greg Handel, executive vice president, provost for NSU and moderator for the event, added that this will honor Dunahoe’s lifelong dedication to education, philanthropy and service to the institution.
According to Handel, she played a key role in shaping higher education in Louisiana through her service as a member of the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors. Dunahoe also previously served as the president of the NSU Foundation, leading the university’s first capital funding that surpassed its $18.84 million goal by raising $32 million to enhance the institution. She also participated in the selection of eight university presidents, including three at NSU.
Beyond education, Dunahoe contributed to preserving the history and culture of Natchitoches. She led restoration projects and worked with civic organizations to ensure the city’s history remained. Handel invited the Dunahoe family to the stage to honor her legacy.
“To the Dunahoe family, on behalf of Northwestern State University, we extend our deepest gratitude. Lola’s impact on NSU is immeasurable, and thanks to your generosity, her vision for academic excellence and opportunity will continue to shape the future of this institution,” Handel said.
The Dunahoe family made a $600,000 private contribution which now makes the endowment eligible for a $400,000 fund through the Louisiana Board of Regents Support Funds.
James Genovese, NSU president, explained that the endowed chair will ensure Dunahoe’s passion for academic excellence and student success will continue to grow the university. He opened up the AI forum announcing the profound impact artificial intelligence has had on business, medicine and leadership.
“Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept. It is here. It is shaping the way we work, the way we learn, the way we innovate,” Genovese said. “As a university dedicated to preparing students for the challenges and opportunities of the future, NSU is committed to integrating artificial intelligence into our academic programs and research initiative.”
Genovese introduced the panel featuring world-renowned experts Monty Chicola, Dr. Julian Bailes and Dr. Neilank Jha.
Chicola is an NSU alumnus who currently teaches a course on AI integration in business applications, where he also serves as a leader in AI-driven enterprise computing and entrepreneurship. Chicola spent decades developing cutting-edge AI solutions for medical, transportation, government, insurance and manufacturing industries.
In 1984, Chicola was approached by AT&T to digitize an image of his daughter Kimberly. Shortly after this innovation launched his company RBI Real Vision Software. He then addressed how AI will shape the future as it evolves.
“People often ask me, is AI smarter than us? Absolutely. Can it think faster than us? On complex tasks, without question, will it take my job? Probably not, but someone that is using AI might,” Chicola said.
He explained that data can be turned into an instant question-answering machine, serve crucial documents in real-time and even be sent to your phone or email. According to Chicola, no human involvement is needed, AI saves time and generates revenue.
“We have a solution for every industry-type, department, or size of company. Even today, AI proves it can do things better than the average person,” Chicola said. “But remember, AI will never be more human than us. We all need to embrace this technology.”
Bailes is a globally recognized neurosurgeon and a pioneer in the study of brain engines, sports-related trauma and medical advancements. According to Handel, the NSU alumnus was named one of Chicago Magazine’s Top Brain Surgeons in Chicago for 10 consecutive years.
Bailes introduced how AI will benefit the future of medicine. He explained that recently AI assisted him with planning, imagining and navigating treatment for a patient with a malignant brain tumor.
“Where we’re using AI, they can do a better job of reading brain scans, particularly the brain scans that show blockages and other things,” Bailes said.
He added that the use of a software system called Abridge transcribes discussions with family or patients to increase speed and accuracy.
Bailes explained that the patient he treated will undergo chemotherapy and immunotherapy drugs. AI will help his staff come up with the best treatment plan for patients in similar cases who also need to undergo chemotherapy and immunotherapy plans.
In the surgical world, AI and technology enhance decision-making support. Bailes explained that there could be 100,000 cases of that in the computer system that is used for risk ratification and outcome precision.
Jha is a distinguished professor in leadership and neuroeconomics, a renowned neurosurgeon and a leading expert in decision making and behavioral economics. According to Handel, Jha has an innovative approach that combines Eastern and Western philosophies to redefine leadership in an AI-driven world.
Jha spoke with the Demon football team, athletic director Kevin Bostian and head football coach Blaine McCorkle to discuss nutrition, sports psychology, recovery and how to improve their record.
“We’re excited to collaborate with the sports team to give it every advantage that you guys adopt to win in terms of resources. AI will bring that type of leadership. We’ve already been speaking to experts around the world who do this type of AI,” Jha said.
In academics, Jha explained that there have already been several meetings to incorporate AI into the university. According to Jha, graduates from NSU will be more employable when having experience with AI, employment rates will be much better and will attract more students to the university.
“They’ve already had moves in our meeting this week as to how the curriculum will be infused with AI. Every student graduating from NSU will have a background in AI,” Jha said.
The forum ended with excitement from the large crowd of alumni, students and members of the Natchitoches community who learned about new AI advancements that will come to the area. Handel closed off the event thanking the Dunahoe family for their generosity and the speakers for their knowledge on how AI will develop business, medicine and leadership in the near future.
