UW-Oshkosh amplifies human-centered AI at Amplify IT26 conference

UW-Oshkosh Teaching Assistant Professor John Muraski, center, director of the Center for Applied AI and Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, stands with students, from left, Jack Loper, Sanaullah Jannisar, Josh Lee, Jacques Tulowitzky and Ari Thomas at Amplify IT26. The students serve as AI consultants through UW-Oshkosh experiential learning programs, including the Small Business AI Clinic, Internal AI initiative and Innovation Foundry.

UW-Oshkosh took a leading role in regional conversations about artificial intelligence and its human impact as it hosted Amplify IT26 on April 14 at the Culver Family Welcome Center.

But for many in attendance, including UW-Oshkosh students, the day was less about technology itself and more about how people will adapt, lead and work alongside it.

A group of UW-Oshkosh students, serving as AI consultants through experiential learning programs, attended the conference to gain insight into how artificial intelligence is already transforming industries.

Jack Loper, a sophomore information systems major from Oshkosh and an internal AI student consultant, said one moment during the keynote presentation stood out.

"One of the presenters built a website in front of us using Claude and it only cost him two dollars. That was very eye-opening," Loper said. "It made me realize that there's no project too big for AI as long as you know how to prompt it properly."

Loper was among a group of UW-Oshkosh student consultants participating in applied AI programs that connect students directly with real-world projects and organizations.

John Muraski, teaching assistant professor and director of the Center for Applied AI and Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development at UW-Oshkosh, said bringing students to the conference was intentional.

"This year's theme, 'Amplifying Human…?!,' hits at the right time," Muraski said. "As AI, automation and other technologies continue to reshape work, the real question is not just what the tools can do, but how we help people think better, work better and adapt well in an AI-first world."

Muraski said the conference's focus on amplifying the human element made it especially valuable for students, which is why he encouraged his AI student consultants to attend, network and learn.

"Today was a strong reminder that the future of AI is not only about technology. It is also about people, ethics, judgment and leadership."

Muraski oversees several grant-funded experiential learning initiatives at UW-Oshkosh, including the Small Business AI Clinic, Internal AI program and Innovation Foundry, all designed to give students hands-on experience applying artificial intelligence in real-world settings.

The conference brought together educators, business leaders and technology experts to examine how emerging technologies are influencing communication, decision-making and the future of work, with an emphasis on maintaining a human-centered approach.

Throughout the day, UW-Oshkosh faculty and staff helped lead that conversation, offering perspectives grounded in teaching, research and real-world application.

Keeping humanity at the center of AI

Among them was Stewart Cole, assistant professor of English and environmental studies, who led a breakout session titled Amplifying Human Authenticity. His session explored both the risks and opportunities of AI, particularly in how it affects human interaction and identity.

"My presentation, 'Amplifying Human Authenticity: Lessons from Higher Education and Beyond,' will take up some of the risks of AI in terms of undermining human authenticity and diminishing the authenticity of human interaction, while also discussing the opportunity that AI presents to re-anchor ourselves in our unique human capacities," Cole said.

Cole said his session addressed issues including anxiety and mental health, cognitive offloading, crises of trust and human connection, while emphasizing the distinction between human experience and the capabilities of artificial intelligence.

He noted that large language models such as ChatGPT and Co-Pilot do not possess embodied, sensory or lived experience, underscoring the need for thoughtful integration of AI across education and the workplace.

At UW-Oshkosh, Cole said that approach aligns with the university's strengths in experiential learning, with opportunities to use AI in ways that enhance hands-on learning rather than replace it.

Ethics, communication and decision-making

Later in the day, Becca McLagan, a teaching, learning and technology specialist at UWO, and Erika Janssen, nursing faculty member, led a session titled Amplifying Human Decisions: Ethics, focusing on how AI is shaping communication and decision-making in fields where human interaction is essential.

"As AI becomes more integrated into how we communicate, the ethical question shifts from what the technology can do to what should be preserved for humans to do," McLagan said. "In our session, we focus on how AI can support communication and decision-making without eroding the human skills that build trust, empathy and meaningful connection."

Janssen said those considerations are especially important in fields where communication directly impacts outcomes.

"In healthcare and education, communication is foundational to outcomes. We're interested in how AI can reduce cognitive load and expand opportunities for practice, while still preserving the human judgment and relational skills that are essential in real-world interactions," Janssen said.

Drawing from both educational and clinical perspectives, the session explored how AI is already influencing practice across healthcare and learning environments, including tools such as AI-assisted documentation and simulation-based training.

A regional partnership driving innovation

The conference featured a keynote presentation by AI adoption strategist Paul Gibbons, Amplifying Human Intelligence, which explored how artificial intelligence is reshaping trust, culture and decision-making across industries.

The conference also featured a series of breakout sessions and panels led by regional professionals and educators, including topics such as AI safety, learning and workforce development and emerging technologies. Additional sessions included presentations by Kurt Wismer of Grit EDU and Saad Ahmad of Smart IS International, as well as a panel on the impact of data centers in Wisconsin featuring leaders from Alliant Energy, Ark Data Centers and the Wisconsin Data Center Coalition.

Amplify IT has been a signature event of Amplify Oshkosh since 2015, bringing together business leaders, technologists, educators and innovators to explore how information technology is shaping the future of work, industry and community. The event has been hosted on the UW-Oshkosh campus since 2016, strengthening connections between industry and higher education.

Shannon Seaman, education, talent and technology development director with the Oshkosh Chamber, said the event brings together a wide range of voices to explore the impact of technology.

"The event brings together business leaders, technologists, educators, and innovators to explore how information technology is shaping the future of work, industry, and community," Seaman said.

Preparing for an AI-driven future

By hosting Amplify IT26, UW-Oshkosh continues to strengthen its role as a regional hub for innovation and collaboration, connecting students, educators and industry partners around emerging technologies.

For Rob Kleman, president and CEO of the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce and a UW-Oshkosh alumnus, that partnership reflects both long-standing collaboration and future opportunity.

"Amplify has been one of the many critical partnerships over the years between the Oshkosh Chamber and UW-Oshkosh," Kleman said. "The collaboration we have enjoyed with UW-Oshkosh over the years has been vital to the long-term success of our business community."

He said that impact is especially evident in how the University prepares students to meet workforce needs.

"UW-Oshkosh plays a critical role in developing the talent, innovation and leadership that drive our local economy forward," Kleman said. "By working together, we create stronger connections between business and education, ensuring our employers have access to emerging talent and our students are prepared to thrive in Oshkosh and our region."

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