News Summary
Texas A&M University is launching a new minor in ‘Artificial Intelligence and Business’ to equip students with crucial AI knowledge. This program aims to enhance students’ understanding of AI’s value in business, focusing on creating effective strategies for the modern job market. Starting as a pilot with limited spots, the program promises to prepare students to tackle real-world business challenges while addressing the growing demand for AI education. Additionally, community initiatives aim to raise AI awareness among seniors and explore AI’s role in energy and agriculture sectors.
Texas is set to enhance educational opportunities for its students with the introduction of a new minor in Artificial Intelligence and Business at Texas A&M University. This innovative program is designed to equip students with essential knowledge and skills regarding the application of artificial intelligence (AI) within business environments, preparing them for a future where AI is central to business operations. The program is launching as a pilot in Fall 2023, with limited enrollment, and additional seats available in Spring 2026.
The development of the new minor is significantly influenced by Shrihari Shridar, a senior associate dean at Mays Business School. He underscores the reality that AI is now embedded in everyday business practices rather than serving solely as a supplemental tool. The program aims to guide students in understanding how AI can create value across various business practices, focusing on how AI intersects with critical business functions.
Shridar identifies four fundamental components necessary for successful business management: identifying the source of value, creating value for customers, executing that value on a daily basis, and leveraging this created value to enhance financial performance. He asserts that AI has the potential to improve each of these components, thereby making students more competitive in the job market and better equipped to drive innovation in their future enterprises.
In conjunction with the educational efforts, the City of Bryan is hosting a senior social event at the Clara B. Mounce Public Library to educate adults aged 55 and older about AI and its implications. The event aims to inform seniors on how to utilize AI tools effectively while also spreading awareness about potential scams related to AI technology. The City encourages attendees to adopt a “trust but verify” approach to any information linked to AI and scams, highlighting the importance of diligence in protecting personal information.
In an ambitious collaboration, Texas A&M is also partnering with four nuclear companies to construct small modular reactors (SMRs) at Rellis Campus aimed at addressing Texas’s growing energy demands. These reactors are projected to provide a combined electrical output surpassing 1 gigawatt, catering to an increasing need for power in sectors such as data centers in North Texas. The Chancellor of Texas A&M emphasizes the urgent requirement for enhanced power generation capabilities across the United States.
This move towards establishing SMRs marks a significant milestone as there are currently no commercial SMRs operational in the U.S. Texas A&M has initiated the process of obtaining an early site permit from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, positioning the university to potentially become the first in the nation to secure a commercial nuclear reactor site license.
AI’s application is not confined to business and energy; it is also making substantial inroads into agriculture. The Texas A&M AgriLife Center is exploring how advances in data collection, computing power, and analytics can enhance agricultural practices. Juan Landivar, the center’s director, predicts that the AI market will expand by 30% over the next decade, potentially exceeding a market value of $3 trillion by the year 2033.
While the integration of AI within agriculture presents challenges, it also offers substantial opportunities. New technologies, such as drones and advanced data analytics, are expected to revolutionize farming practices, leading to more efficient decision-making processes. Landivar stresses the importance of incorporating AI into agriculture to improve productivity and overall operational efficiency, underscoring an emerging trend that could reshape the industry.
Overall, Texas is at the forefront of leveraging AI across various sectors, from education to energy and agriculture, as it navigates an increasingly technology-driven future.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- KBTX: Texas A&M Now Offering Artificial Intelligence Business Minor
- Wikipedia: Artificial Intelligence
- KXXV: Texas A&M Partners with Nuclear Companies
- Google Search: Texas A&M nuclear energy
- Farm Progress: AI is the Future of Agriculture
- Google Scholar: Artificial Intelligence in Business
- Chron: Texas A&M’s Nuclear Project
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Artificial Intelligence
- KBTX: AI Scam Leaves Bryan Mother Traumatized
- Google News: AI Scams
Author: STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER
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