Campers Pitch, Explore Human Potential in the Age of AI

Where do artificial intelligence and the human person flourish together? This was a driving theme explored in the AI and Entrepreneurship Summer Camp in July, titled "Celts Create Startup Camp," hosted by University of St. Thomas and sponsored by the McNair Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship.

High school campers were taught in the spirit of liberal arts by highlighting their human gifts and how they can work alongside artificial intelligence tools to explore new topics, identify real world challenges, and develop solutions. Campers also learned about entrepreneurial skills from esteemed UST business faculty, formed teams, and created a pitch for a new company.

Dr. Beena George, UST professor of Management, celebrated the students and the camp.

"At Celts Create Startup Camp, we're not just teaching students how to use AI," she said. "We're helping them imagine how technology can serve people and communities. This camp empowers young innovators to pursue bold ideas with discipline, creativity, and a commitment to the common good."

On the final day, they presented to judges selected from the Houston-area entrepreneur community, and one team was selected as the winner.

Dr. George emphasized that pitching was key to this camp.

"Students must learn to collaborate and pitch with confidence," she said. "My favorite aspect as it relates directly to our sponsor, the McNair Center. At UST, we believe technology should elevate the human person. Our Celts Create Startup Camp invites students to see AI not just as a tool, but as an opportunity to innovate with integrity and serve the world."

One of the judges, Eleana Thornton, Assistant Director of Development, Campaign in the Office of University Advancement at UST, was very impressed.

"I had the incredible experience of serving as a judge for the McNair Center's AI + Entrepreneurship Camp's pitch contest," she said. "I was completely blown away by their creativity and their presentation skills, especially in such a condensed timeframe for development."

Four teams of high school camp participants presented complete product pitches after only four days in the camp.

Judges assessed pitches from Team Veloframe with their Athletrix athletic training product, Team Errandly with their Errandly task management app, Team QuestFit with their narrative fitness app, and Team Healthlink with their healthcare records management app.

"Ultimately, Healthlink won the competition, but our job as judges was extraordinarily difficult," Thornton said.

Judges included Thornton, Aaqib Alvi, Juan Holmes and Eddie Habibi, MBA '91.

The camp showcased how the UST McNair Center empowers aspiring entrepreneurs by offering training, fostering community, and providing thought leadership to help students understand free enterprise. Visit the website for more information.