About the AI Summit

The MSU AI Summit will be held on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in the STEM Teaching and Learning Facility. This event will bring together faculty, staff, librarians, and graduate students from diverse disciplines to shape MSU’s role in AI education, research, and everyday applications.

Campus will be activated on May 7 with events focused on teaching and learning innovation, student success, and graduate teaching support. We hope these events will provide creative crossovers and strategic opportunities to collaborate on the same day and beyond.

The agenda below will be updated as details are finalized. If you have questions please contact Ana Lesage, MSU Ethics Institute project manager.

Registration

This is an opportunity for MSU to lead proactively in AI, shaping the future through diverse perspectives, and a shared commitment to responsible innovation.

We look forward to joining our colleagues in Undergraduate Education and the Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation in activating campus on May 7 with strategic events and enriching discussions. Since the AI Summit coincides with the Student Success Summit and Spring TALKS Conference, we understand that not everyone can fully participate.

Important: Please note registration is now closed for the event. If you were included on a waitlist for in-person participation, you will receive a communication via email. If you plan to participate in the morning plenary virtually, you may use the link below.

There will be additional options to participate in later conversations in the fall semester as well.

Recording and Presentations

Watch the recording of the morning plenary session. 
AI Summit Slides (PDF)
Why AI Needs the Humanities? (PDF)

Keynote Speaker

AI Summit Agenda

The morning plenary session is offered in person and virtually. Lunch, afternoon breakout sessions, the report-out and closing remarks are in-person only.

The morning plenary session will take place in Room 2130 of the STEM Teaching and Learning Facility.

8:30-9 a.m.: Registration and Networking

9-9:15 a.m.: Opening Remarks

9:15-10 a.m. Keynote Address 

10-11 a.m.: Panel Discussion: AI and the Future of Knowledge: What should we be preparing for?

The first panel will explore how AI is reshaping the industry and workforce, highlighting opportunities, and how MSU can equip students, faculty, and staff to thrive and lead in this evolving landscape. This session is designed for everyone, regardless of your AI familiarity. Whether you’re just starting to explore the topic or have experience, our goal is to ensure the panel supports all attendees.

• Moderator: Johannes Bauer, Ph.D.
• Panelists
  • Anjana Susarla, Omura-Saxena Professor of Responsible AI, Eli Broad College of Business
  • Tara Behrend, John Richard Butler II Endowed Professor, School of Human Resources and Labor Relations, College of Social Science
  • Arun Ross, Martin J. Vanderploeg Endowed Professor, Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), College of Engineering
  • Scott Powell, Ph.D., Chief Data Officer, State of Michigan

11-11:15 a.m.: Break

11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Panel Discussion: AI as a Partner in Research and Learning

The panel will explore how AI is reshaping academia, how it can enhance learning and research, and how to foster deeper understanding while addressing ethical considerations and preparing faculty and students to succeed in this rapidly changing space.

• Moderator: Gillian McDonald, Ph.D.
• Panelists
  • Jiyoon Yi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and College of Engineering
  • Mohammad Ghassemi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Computer Science and Engineering, College of Engineering
  • Dennis Kennedy, JD, Director of the Center for Law, Technology & Innovation, College of Law
  • Thomas Hancock, Ph.D., Senior Principal, Thought Leadership & Research, Office of the Chief Learning Officer, Accenture

12:15-1:15 p.m.: Lunch

Lunch will take place on the third floor outside of Rooms 3201 and 3202.

1:15-3 p.m.: Breakout Sessions

The AI Summit will serve as a catalyst for developing a comprehensive, campus-wide vision for the ethical and effective use of artificial intelligence at MSU. By bringing together diverse voices from across the university, the Summit will produce:

• A high-level roadmap informed by community input, highlighting existing assets, emerging needs and opportunities
• A set of recommendations and bold ideas to guide the development of a holistic AI vision
• A process for continued engagement, including working groups that will refine the draft vision over the summer
• A final opportunity for campus-wide review and feedback before the priorities and vision are presented to university leadership

Breakout Groups

1. AI's Impact on Society and Workforce Readiness, facilitated by Danielle DeVoss, Ph.D. Room 3201
2. Advancing AI Research & AI-Enhanced Research, facilitated by John Verboncoeur, Ph.D. Room 3202
3. Transforming Teaching & Learning with AI, facilitated by Sonja Fritzsche, Ph.D. Room 2202
4. AI in University Operations & Administration, facilitated by Sarah Gretter, Ph.D. Room 2201

3-3:15 p.m.: Break

3:15-3:45: Breakout Session Report Out, Room 2130

3:45-4 p.m.: Closing Remarks, Room 2130