On Wednesday, October 22, the Costello College of Business at George Mason University welcomed students and members of the local business community to its first-ever Artificial Intelligence Symposium, held on the Fairfax Campus. Sponsored by NABA and Deloitte, the event featured two dynamic panel discussions focused on the evolving role of artificial intelligence in the workforce.
As the lights dimmed, attendees were greeted by an AI-generated voice, setting the tone for the evening: “The future isn’t written by algorithms. It’s co-authored by people bold enough to lead them.”
Following the introduction, Patrick Soleymani, BS Management ‘07, MBA ‘09, associate dean for outreach and strategic engagement and emcee for the evening, framed the significance of the event. “Artificial intelligence is no longer an emerging concept—it's a transformative force shaping every industry, discipline, and leadership decision,” he said. “Tonight’s program brings together leading voices from academia and industry to discuss how AI is changing the way we work, learn, and lead.”
“Artificial intelligence is no longer an emerging concept—it's a transformative force shaping every industry, discipline, and leadership decision.”
— Patrick Soleymani, BS Management ‘07, MBA ‘09, associate dean for outreach and strategic engagement
The first panel focused on the technological implications of AI. Moderated by Cheryl Druehl, senior dean for faculty affairs and research, the discussion featured Rajiv Shenoy, partner and associate director at Boston Consulting Group; and James Suh, CEO and co-founder of Nashville Analytics, LLC, and head of technology insights at NABA. Both Shenoy and Suh emphasized the importance of analyzing threats, challenges, and opportunities within the organization that AI would be addressing. “AI can’t compete with human creativity,” said Shenoy. However, he said, using AI is critical to upskilling, and those unwilling to embrace the technology will eventually be replaced. Suh shared that at NABA they strive to hire hyper curious employees.
(left to right) Dean Ajay Vinzé, Tasha Austin-Williams, Amarda Shehu, Guylaine Sainte Juste
“Now we turn our focus to the people, policy, and leadership implications of AI adoption,” said Ajay Vinzé, dean of the Costello College of Business, who moderated the second panel that featured Tasha Austin-Williams, principal at Deloitte; Guylaine Sainte Juste, BA International Relations ‘94, president and CEO, NABA Inc.; and Amarda Shehu, inaugural vice president and chief AI officer, George Mason University. Acknowledging that one person cannot be an expert at everything, Sainte Juste noted, “This technology will move us from a world of expertise to a world of adaptability.” Shehu shared that George Mason has worked closely with students, faculty, and staff to provide access to AI tools in a secure and user-friendly environment, with a strong emphasis on innovative curriculum development.
The message of the evening was clear: The era of AI is here. Now is the time to embrace this transformative technology and integrate it into skillsets, leadership strategies, and educational frameworks. “Whether you’re in academia, business, or government, the future of AI requires bold thinking, inclusive design, and ongoing collaboration,” Soleymani said in closing. The Costello College of Business is committed to convening thought leaders and equipping students and faculty with the tools to not only keep pace with AI—but to lead with it.
(left to right) Rajiv Shenoy, Amarda Shehu, Dean Ajay Vinzé, Tasha Austin-Williams, Julia Coulter, Patrick Soleymani, Guylaine Sainte Juste, Cheryl Druehl, James Suh