AI is transforming the workforce faster than education can keep up. As intelligent agents automate tasks and redefine job roles, students are entering a world where adaptability, ethical decision-making, and collaboration with AI are essential. In this plenary session, Dr. Denise Turley explores how educators can shift from reactive adjustments to proactive preparation—reframing their role as guides in an unpredictable, AI-powered future.
With an eye toward both opportunity and responsibility, Dr. Turley will examine how AI is reshaping work, what this means for course and career readiness, and why digital safety, discernment, and entrepreneurial thinking must be infused across disciplines. She’ll share examples of emerging AI capabilities, including automation tools and agents, and discuss how we can use them to equip students to lead with agency and resilience. The future is uncertain—but the educator’s role has never been more vital.