president’s report to the community AI IS FOR EVERYONE – RIGHT NOW FLCC launched the FLX AI Hub as a resource for the community to incorporate AI into the workplace. Trudi Smith ’05 and Shena Edington-Bright ’24 had the same thought when they arrived at the College’s artificial intelligence summit in June. The room was full. The nearly 200 participants represented banking, education, health care, retail, hospitality, and other industries. “It was clear that the business community of the Finger Lakes was hungry for a better understanding of AI, not only the ethical applications for work, but also the massive scope of what it can do for professionals,” said Shena, intake specialist for Simco, which provides human resources, payroll and benefit services. “I guess I was surprised at the seasoned workforce the room represented, and that we were not all informed enough to have AI as part of our daily practices,” said Trudi, president and principal designer of Trudi Smith Designs. The goal of the summit was to introduce the community to the potential of AI and provide practical applications participants could use immediately. FLCC organized the summit and launched a new resource, the FLX AI Hub, out of a recognition that AI will transform the workplace as much as, or even more than, computers did in the 1980s. With the success of FLCC students so strongly tied to the success of the region, College leadership sought a way for people to get up to speed and learn together. Going deeper Trudi, Shena and Chris Sirianni ’08, founder of IT Insights in Rochester, were among the alumni who attended the event. They shared their thoughts about the summit and how AI is reshaping their own work. “In daily practice, I know I am barely touching the surface of what AI can do,” said Trudi. “I rarely use Google anymore. I spent the time to have ChatGPT understand my company, my voice, and my brand.” She has used ChatGPT to help her define the skills her business needs and develop job descriptions. Trudi has also asked the tool to critique her workflow Aaron Proietti, author of the book “Today’s Innovator,” was the keynote speaker at FLCC’s AI summit for the community in June. Alumnus Chris Sirianni, one of the attendees, noted, “What stood out most was Aaron Proietti's framing of AI literacy as a fundamental competency, not just another tech skill to learn.” PHOTOS BY AMANDA WHITBECK ABOUT THE FLX AI HUB FLCC has identified four areas to focus its AI efforts: • The curriculum: To ensure students have AI literacy and basic skills • Business and government: To support economic development • K-12 educators: To incorporate AI into the classroom • The community: To promote AI awareness and skills The next FLX AI Hub events are scheduled for March 19 and June 10. Find more information at flcc.edu/ai.
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