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4. BGSU faculty to share expertise, students to gain real-world insight during Great Lakes AI Week conference on campus

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - When the first-ever Great Lakes AI Week kicks off next week, Bowling Green State University will not only be supporting the inaugural event as host, it will also provide conference-goers with expert faculty insight while empowering students with a firsthand look into artificial intelligence's evolving role in the workforce.

Taking place from Nov. 5-6 on the BGSU campus, Great Lakes AI Week organized by Enterprise Technology Association will bring together over 1,000 professionals from across the Midwest - including those with Fortune 1000 companies, innovative startups and leading colleges and universities - for insightful conversation, hands-on workshops and valuable connections focused on leveraging AI's power to drive educational and employer needs in the broader region and beyond.

As part of the main stage presentations on Nov. 5, BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers will highlight how Bowling Green is embracing AI campuswide to drive innovation in the classroom and beyond, while Provost Dr. Ravi Krovi will offer insight on the University's approach to developing forward-thinking leaders who can leverage AI in their careers and lives.

BGSU faculty and staff experts will also share their work and research on AI as an educational tool and workforce multiplier, with panel insight and presentations from Dr. Per Broman, professor of music theory; Dr. Robert Green, professor of computer science; Jerod Hall, chief information officer at BGSU; Dr. Abbas Heydarnoori, assistant professor of computer science; Dr. Sai Karanam, assistant professor of computer science; Dr. Arijit Khan, associate professor of computer science; Dr. Jong Kwan "Jake" Lee, chair and associate professor of computer science; Dr. Wael Mohktar, dean of the College of Engineering and Innovation; and Dr. Md Main Uddin Rony, assistant professor of computer science.

Additionally, BGSU students will be able to attend the conference for free, where they will have the opportunity to network with and learn from top executives and thought leaders in the AI industry, underscoring the nationally recognized experiences and opportunities that come with a Bowling Green education.

"As an early adopter and innovator of AI in higher education, BGSU is honored to be hosting the first-ever Great Lakes AI Week conference," said Dr. Ram Veerapaneni, vice provost for academic affairs at BGSU and conference committee member. "Great Lakes AI Week at BGSU will provide a unique opportunity to foster collaboration among key industry partners to support educational and workforce needs in the Midwest and beyond. From faculty insight to one-of-a-kind learning experiences for students, we are proud to be a part of this inaugural event and look forward to the solutions and opportunities that will come from Great Lakes AI Week at BGSU."

The selection of BGSU as host of Great Lakes AI Week comes as the University is launching the nation's first customizable AI+X bachelor's degree, with applications now open for admission.

The uniquely designed undergraduate program combines a core education in AI with a secondary discipline, empowering students to design field-specific solutions to support AI-driven tools and applications. The "X" represents a customizable add-on in six fields, including computer science, mathematics, physics, history, journalism or public relations, that allows students to apply AI to their field of choice.

Graduates of the pioneering BGSU program will be qualified for a variety of careers, including roles as AI developers, data scientists and machine learning engineers, as well as in sectors that blend AI with specific domains, including scientific research, social policy, creative industries and business analytics.

The launch of the AI+X program builds on a legacy of innovation at BGSU. More than five decades ago, BGSU became Ohio's first public university with an undergraduate computer science program, foreseeing its value long before it became the in-demand field it is today.

BGSU also remains one of the few universities in the country to offer a full range of data science programs, from a bachelor's degree to a Ph.D.

For more information on Great Lakes AI Week at BGSU and to register, visit GreatLakesAIWeek.com.