Deacs.AI

During the 2026 spring semester, Wake Forest Computer Science professor, William Cochran, held his popular first year seminar called AI and Humanity: Foundations for Our Future. For one of the assignments, Cochran asked his students to read Ethan Mollicks book, Co-Intelligence, and create a mini podcast episode about a chapter that resonated with them. In Part 3 of this multi-part series, we hear from more of our students as they discuss Chapter 6, AI as a Co-worker. Please note that certain portions of the assignment have been lightly edited from their original format for content purposes or to comply with student wishes. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

During the 2026 spring semester, Wake Forest Computer Science professor, William Cochran, held his popular first year seminar called AI and Humanity: Foundations for Our Future. For one of the assignments, Cochran asked his students to read Ethan Mollicks book, Co-Intelligence, and create a mini podcast episode about a chapter that resonated with them. In Part 2 of this multi-part series, we hear from our first pair of students as they discuss Chapter 4, AI as a Person. Please note that certain portions of the assignment have been lightly edited from their original format for content purposes or to comply with student wishes. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

Wake Forest Computer Science professor, William Cochran, who also holds an affiliation with the Program for Leadership and Character, developed a popular first year seminar called AI and Humanity: Foundations for Our Future. In Part 1 of this multi-part episode, William talks to Michael and Ryan about the impetus for creating the course, the mechanics of running it, how he assesses the students, the relevant course materials, and how it has evolved each semester that he’s taught it. After listening to the professor, stay tuned all week for the subsequent episode segments as we get the opportunity to hear the actual student assignments. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

Wake Forest Entrepreneurship professor, Alise Raak, packs this episode with mind-blowing AI teaching strategies, eye-popping Claude Code use cases, and even simple non-techie tips. She takes the listeners on a tour de force of fully integrating artificial intelligence into the teaching curriculum using her business owner's practitioner mindset. And along the way, she uncovers a secret that every hiring manager must know about college graduates' level of AI proficiency. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

What do you get when you cram four brilliant and opinionated higher education intellectuals together in a room? A rousing conversation on the hottest topics in education today—teaching and learning with AI. Join us as we listen to Betsy, Erin, Tobias, and Will discuss and debate the merits and pitfalls of generative artificial intelligence's integration into the modern learning environment. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

Michael had his chance to ask Ryan a series of blind questions about AI. Now the tables have turned. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

Wake Forest alum, Dr. Ryan Melvin, is here to teach us about the hidden dangers of toxic tech productivity. Now at UAB leading emerging technologies efforts, he tells us how he runs his modern AI classroom, defines the radical shift in the medical field because of powerful specialized artificial intelligence models, and shares the magic he produces by talking to the machines. But he also warns us that the addictive dopamine hits from current AI coding techniques can present perils to our precious human time. NPR - Their teenage sons died by suicide. Now, they are sounding an alarm about AI chatbots BBC - Mothers say chatbots encouraged their sons to kill themselves If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of self-harm or suicide, help is available. In the U.S. and Canada, call or text 988 for immediate support. If you are in immediate danger, contact emergency services or your local crisis hotline. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

Ryan and Michael pull back the curtain on their personal AI workflows — from Claude and Gemini to Suno and NotebookLM. They share the tools they rely on daily, the custom apps they've built, and the surprisingly simple ways AI has made their lives easier. If you've ever wondered what putting AI to real use actually looks like, this episode is it. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

Professors call it plagiarism. Corporate boards call it a baseline job requirement. "Unintentional Mentors" author and tech executive Seth Carpien exposes the massive, worrying disconnect between college classrooms and real-world employment. Are students being properly prepared for life after school? Compounding that thought, if everyday junior level tasks are entirely outsourced to automation, how will the next generation ever grow to become leaders? As a parent of three college students himself, Seth sees the reality where we're diving headfirst into the looming career gap that universities might be fumbling, and why the corporate ladder is suddenly missing its bottom rungs. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

How are todays students actually using AI behind closed doors? Wake Forest's Becket Spencer joins the podcast to peel back the curtain on his daily workflow. He breaks down how he leverages custom AI dashboards and autonomous market agents to test business theories and manage his workload. If youve ever wanted to construct a personalized digital infrastructure from scratch without writing a single line of traditional code, Becket has your blueprint. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

At the Wake Forest School of Business, we are preparing students not simply to navigate the AI era — but to shape it. Because in a world transformed by intelligent systems, principled leadership matters more than ever. For todays students, AI literacy in business is not optional. It is foundational to effective leadership. This reflects a reality that artificial intelligence in business is no longer experimental. It is operational. Join Executive Director of Experiential Learning and Innovation, Shannon McKeen, as we talk about the School of Business's award-winning all in approach to integrating artificial intelligence. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

How do you prepare today's business leaders for a world that changes overnight? What do you do when the textbook updates itself every single week? Academic Director, Dr. Carm Taglienti, breaks down the creation of Wake Forest University School of Professional Studies’ hot new graduate degree. Here's a hint. It's not about technical programming, but instead executive decision-making, ethical scaling, and operational management. Discover how higher ed is shifting to build an agile curriculum that stays ahead of volatile industry demands. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

While some students are using AI to skip the readings, rising senior Aidan Oliss is using it to build the future. He takes us inside his digital workshop to show us how he is creating with Claude Code and Codex without a traditional coding background. He lays out his workflow for a Decision Council to pressure test his ideas and remove bias from AI models. This episode is about how a curious mind can expand what one human can achieve. The barrier for entry to become a CEO just hit zero. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

Ryan steers the ship as he shows Michael some of the incredible features in NotebookLM. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

The U.S. patent system is built on a simple bargain: disclose your invention to the public, and you receive a 20-year monopoly to profit from it. But what happens when the inventor isn't human? Wake Forest law professor Keith Robinson breaks down the fascinating legal battles happening right now at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He even debates the ethical questions surrounding artificial intelligence in the justice system, like the possibility of an algorithm deciding your prison sentence. It would be a crime to miss this episode. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

Wake Forest MSBA student, Jalen Marshall, got the keys to the DEAC cluster so he watched a video and built himself a GPT. Yup, this is the advanced world we live in now. Along the way, he created a personal masterclass in the nuts and bolts of artificial intelligence. Did it scare him? A little. Did it energize him? You bet! He stopped being a user and started being a creator. Will he be the next solopreneur unicorn? For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

Tonight, the NFL Draft puts the future of young athletes on display. But behind the scenes? It is all data. In this episode, we break down how AI and predictive modeling shape draft decisions—and why that should matter to anyone working in higher education. Using examples like Fernando Mendoza, we explore how colleges are starting to use similar tools to evaluate students, predict success, and guide decision-making. It is a conversation about potential, bias, and the limits of data. And a reminder that even the smartest systems do not always get it right. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

Would you intentionally add slang to your term paper to dodge a flawed AI detector? Wake Forest senior Alexander Sun would. Straight from the frontlines of campus life, he breaks down the game of high-stakes academic chicken being played in classrooms today and he's bringing his text messages as receipts. From 3am study sessions with digital tutors to shifting office hours and student motivation, he describes what it takes to survive in today's college environment. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

Michael previously answered some of AI's burning questions, this time Michael puts Ryan on the spot with some surprise questions Michael has for Ryan about AI. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

Have you ever been told your writing sounds "too much like a robot"? Masters student and Writing Center tutor, Caroline Collins, explains why students are intentionally stripping away her favorite punctuation—the beloved em dash—just to keep the "AI Police" at bay. And get this—student are actually dumbing down their writing so it doesn't produce a red flag. What is going on in this bizarre world of higher education right now? Furthermore, Caroline shatters the salacious headlines and tells us that, in fact, not all students are cheating their way through college with AI. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

Remember the moral panic when calculators entered the classroom? Ged King does - and refuses to repeat the same mistake. As the Academic Director in Digital Marketing at the School of Professional Studies, he is a firm believer in using generative AI to empower students. As an industry insider, he's witnessing a tectonic shift in the marketing landscape. While the first Golden Age of Advertising was defined by a room full of whiskey-soaked legends, this new era is being co-authored by a partner who never drinks, never eats, and never sleeps and can generate hundreds of ideas before you've refilled your espresso. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

Wake Forest alumnus and Managing Director and founder of Microsoft Federal’s Security, Compliance, and Identity (SCI) Customer Success organization, Jay Bhalodia, is on the frontlines ... of the cyber war. This digital battlefield doesn't have borders or bullets; it has IP addresses and bytes. Jay provides a masterclass on the asymmetric war currently playing out in our digital infrastructure. We discuss the strategic necessity of adopting AI tools to counter state-sponsored threats and why the balance of power in global security now depends on who can scale their good bots the fastest. When the malware is defeated, he uses this super intelligence to plan family trips and create My Little Pony stories with his daughter. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

Talon Keeler is a college student. Talon Keeler does not like to use Artificial Intelligence. Join us as we learn how both of these statements can be true in today's world of higher education. Talon will discuss the slow decay of the human connection, the fear of cognitive decline, and a wishful return to the gilded libraries of classic academia. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

What would an AI ask a podcast about AI? Wonder no more! Join Michael as he answers some of AI's burning questions about the Deacs.AI podcast! For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

Think your degree is the finish line? For Nam Tran, it was just the starting block. Moving from his Masters at Wake Forest to the fast-paced world of Sales Factory, Nam reveals how he used digital co-pilots to supercharge his abilities. He argues that as technical skills become "abundant," human judgment becomes the ultimate premium. From vetting automated code to ensuring a brands "voice" stays authentic, hear why the "human-in-the-loop" is the most important job title of the next decade. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

After a year of discussing AI with faculty and staff, the podcast is completing the circle. We are happy to announce that students will now be joining the podcast, offering their insights into how students are actually using—and choosing not to use—generative AI. We discuss the transition from AI as a "cheating tool" to AI as "glorified Google" and the critical importance of AI literacy in higher education. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

Buckle up for this wild ride with AI-forward Finance professor, Kyre Lahtinen. We cover everything from foundational shifts, tech booms, defensible business models, teaching hacks, and tulip bulb bubbles. Forget manual uploads and clunky interfaces. Use Python and API keys to rebuild Canvas courses with a single click. Move beyond the chat box and into the world of agentic systems that actually do things like calculating GPAs, organize modules, and "Wake Forest-ize" slide decks in seconds. This is a masterclass in how educators can reclaim their time. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

For the class of 2026, AI fluency isn't a bonus, it’s the entry fee. Senior Computer Science major, Logan Jacobs, breaks down how to navigate college courses with the help of artificial intelligence. He discusses the reality of a job market where AI is "table stakes" and explains why he uses Deep Research and NotebookLM to digest complex academic material without short-circuiting his own thinking. It’s a candid look at the ethics of student motivation where asking the right questions is more vital than finding the answers. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

Your AI isn’t a genius; it’s more like a parrot in a tuxedo. Linguist Jerid Francom joins the show to deconstruct the linguistic tricks of Large Language Models and reveal why the "ghost" in the grammar is often just a statistical illusion. He'll lay out a roadmap for the radical act of digital independence. We explore how to break free from Big Tech’s grip by using Hugging Face and edge AI to run models locally on your own hardware. Discover how to reclaim your human agency and build a personalized AI setup that serves your workflow without sacrificing your privacy or your intellect. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

Higher education is facing a crossroads that looks a lot like the early days of the pandemic. Artificial Intelligence has forced a sudden evolution, allowing us to revisit our training based on first principles. Linguistic expert Jerid Francom riffs on the explosion of possibilities and the foundations of the pedagogical process as we charge ahead. We explore the tension between efficiency and intellectual growth, and why we must protect the process of learning before it’s replaced by a finished product. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

Forget the tuxedos and the martinis. Sarra Alqahtani is training a different class of super agent. In this episode, we go inside the lab to see how "Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning" is being used to protect the planet. We move past the hype of chatbots to look at AI that actually does things; navigating complex environments, making split-second decisions, and solving problems without a human holding the remote. From tracking illegal gold mining in the Amazon to securing your self-driving car, Dr. Alqahtani explains why the future of global security isn’t a man in a suit - it’s a swarm of agents. Join us for a masterclass in how reinforcement learning is moving from the whiteboard to the wild. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

Join Ryan Scholl and Michael Ferrari for the final installment of our "Best of 2025" series on the Deacs.AI podcast. In this episode, titled "The Soul and the Mission," Wake Forest innovators explore the vital importance of preserving the human spirit in the age of Artificial Intelligence. We discuss building ethical guardrails by looking at historical parallels—from Platos early fears about the invention of writing to the "Manhattan Project" of modern AI. The conversation delves into the future of creativity, the legal complexities of copyright in neural networks, and the essential need for authentic social connection over automated simulations. Finally, we reflect on how a liberal arts education and the Pro Humanitate motto prepare us for a future where technology serves as a springboard for human flourishing rather than a replacement for it. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

Join Michael Ferrari and Ryan Scholl for Part 2 of our "Best of 2025" series on the Deacs.AI podcast. In this episode, Wake Forest innovators discuss the evolution of AI in higher education—from the initial shock of ChatGPT's arrival to the sophisticated ways faculty are now harnessing it for teaching and research. We explore the "philosophy of the struggle" in learning, practical tools like the "Stoplight Model" for ethical AI use, and how AI might shift the focus of university life from specific majors to finding the true meaning of life. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

As we ring in the new year, Michael Ferrari and Ryan Scholl present a special recap of the most impactful conversations from the Deacs.AI podcast throughout 2025. From the "first 10 hours" of experimenting with tools like Google Gemini and Claude to the rise of autonomous AI agents, this episode synthesizes a year of rapid innovation at Wake Forest. We explore how AI is transforming repetitive workflows, reshaping team dynamics, and forcing a necessary shift toward an entrepreneurial mindset. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

On this special episode of Deacs.AI, we explore the intersection of liberal arts education and emerging technologies through the lens of Pro Humanitate. University leaders Mur Muchane, Vice President for Information Technology and CIO, and Anne Hardcastle, Associate Provost for Academic Affairs, detail how Wake Forest is integrating generative artificial intelligence into curricula, not as a replacement for human cognition, but as a partner in developing the critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills necessary for future leadership. They discuss the collaborative process between administrative and academic units to establish institutional guidelines that balance data security with academic freedom, ensuring a flexible framework that adapts to rapid technological advancements while preserving faculty agency and disciplinary nuance. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

Ryan, Sarah, and Michael report from Wake Forest AI Fest 2025 and give their impressions of some of the presentations and panels that they saw during day 2 and discuss what has stuck out to them so far. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

Ryan and Michael report from Wake Forest AI Fest 2025 and give their first impressions of some of the presentations and panels that they saw during day 1 and discuss what has stuck out to them so far. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

As AI begins to simulate human behavior, the lines between "processing" and "understanding" are blurring. But is an AI model actually conscious, or is it just a really efficient parrot? Join us as we welcome Dr. Kevin Jung to explore the philosophical and theological gaps between artificial intelligence and the human experience. Dr. Jung challenges the idea that AI can possess "personhood," arguing that while machines can out-compute us, they lack the private mental content required for true language and meaning. From the "colorblind" nature of Large Language Models to the Popes recent comments on technological innovation, we explore what it really means to be human in an automated world. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

We have spent the last few years enthralled by Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT. But leading researchers at Google DeepMind and Meta are already moving on to the next big thing: World Models. While LLMs predict the next word in a sentence, World Models predict the next frame in a video or the consequence of an action in physical space. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

From Plato to Python, alumnus Bill Zandi proves how his liberal arts degree combined with the power of generative artificial intelligence has removed the barriers to creation. The old rules of business are broken and he's rewritten them. Tune in as he doles out advice to graduating students and explains how anyone can now build a one-person conglomerate. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

How do you balance academic integrity with necessary innovation? In this episode, Michael and Ryan sit down with Chris Sheridan (Documentary Film Program) and William Cochran (Computer Science) from Wake Forest University. The group discusses their unique cross-departmental collaboration and the "Stoplight Approach" to AI assignments—defining when AI use is a "Go," when to proceed with caution, and when to stop. Tune in for a fascinating conversation on AI literacy, the "unwritten contract" between filmmakers and audiences, and the rise of "AI slop." For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

Beware of brain rot (yup, we went there)! Computer Science professor and Triple Deac, Sarah Parsons, teaches us that when used properly, AI can be a powerful tool for education. But relying on it leads to lazy thinking and flawed outputs. Learn how this effervescent professor is redesigning her classroom to embrace the cognitive struggle, teach students to use AI as a co-pilot, not a pilot, and why a little productive friction is exactly what we need to succeed. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

From the soul of an artist to the health of our planet, what is the true price of artificial intelligence? Behavioral psychologist, Jason Fanning, confronts the heavy ethical and environmental toll of our new digital assistants. We traverse the AI universe covering topics such as what it means to learn, the massive energy consumption behind every query, and the fundamental question of what we're optimizing for: profit or people? Must we wade through evil slop to get to the abundant promised land? For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Michael experiments with the AI platform Suno to reimagine familiar songs and reflects on the ethical challenges and creative possibilities of AI in music production. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

While they may appear to some as fantastical, university Finance departments are not run with magic. Kim Crewey and Allison Belton are in the trenches, using digital agents to untangle complex account reconciliations, custom chatbots to improve customer service, and specialized knowledge bases to demystify dozens of financial policies. This is a practical look at how technology is revolutionizing the day-to-day work of an AI-first Finance team. Listen to how their journey went from bewildering initial impressions to sophisticated automated efficiency. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

Generative AI is sold as the ultimate solution to writer's block and creative struggle. We're all tempted by the promise of a perfect, polished result without the painful work. But what if the very struggle and failure we're trying to escape is the most vital part of the creative process? Writing professors Ryan Shirey and Carter Smith argue that in our rush to embrace AI's effortless perfection, we are being seduced into giving up something essential: the messy, difficult process of actually forming our own thoughts. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

What if your final paper wasn't a paper at all, but a custom digital brain you built yourself? Physics professor, and mad scientist, Jed Macosko threw out the old rulebook and turned his classroom into an AI laboratory. He didn't just allow his students to use new thinking tools—he challenged them to master them. Hear how freshmen are vibe-coding their own apps, replacing essays with agents, and discovering how to create their own sidekicks. In these chaotic times, Macosko's approach proves the enduring value of a professor is not to provide answers, but to be the coach who inspires young minds to find their own. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

Years ago, he declared "Career Services Must Die." Now, as intelligent systems rewrite the rules for professional success, Wake Forest's Vice President for Personal and Career Development, Andy Chan, returns with an even bolder message: it's time to stop chasing job titles and start building a life. This episode is a masterclass on navigating the new world of work. Learn why an entrepreneurial mindset is essential, how to turn networking into genuine relationship-building, and the steps you can take today to make your career path both fulfilling and future-proof. Discover why the key to a meaningful future isn't a better resume, but a deeper connection to our own humanity. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

Get ready to explore the game-changing new features that have completely redesigned Google's Notebook LM. In this episode, we're joined by Ryan to break down the massive, surprise update that has users buzzing. We'll take you through the revamped Studio panel, from the four new audio overview formats—including briefs, critiques, and debates—to the ability to customize output language, length, and focus. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]

AI is amazing… most of the time. Join Michael and Ryan, who generally believe in the power of artificial intelligence but are not afraid to point out when it misses the mark. From flat out AI failures, to deeper ethical dilemmas, we dive into the parts of AI that bug us—even as we root for its success. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at [email protected]