originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press
I didn’t take it seriously when a friend in the internet security business told me that AI is reshaping the world and our future. Surely that was an exaggeration. Or so I thought until I was recruited to speak about intercultural leadership in the ‘Age of AI’ during a 3-day virtual symposium for SIETAR (Society for Intercultural Education, Training and Research). It was an honor, but also a vital opportunity to learn about AI from researchers and educators around the globe.
These experts spoke about the positives and negatives of AI in the classroom. It was heartening to hear how AI supports the “Interbeing” in Intercultural Communication. With AI tools and translations, our upcoming generations are supported in their efforts to understand diverse cultures and encouraged efforts to engage. But the challenges of AI were also discussed including one of the most concerning issues: the fragmented AI governance.
AI is reshaping our global world but there are no universal laws governing the use of AI. And ethical standards vary and so does their implementation. Yes, AI can be used to foster deeper understanding, but it’s also used to deny, distort and trivialize across the social media platforms where young students, and some of us older folks, are constantly engaged.
I thought I knew everything AI could do until I heard Alison Vick of theTennessee Holocaust Commission speak about using AI technology in teaching Holocaust history. Alison, who is the Commission’s History and Program Coordinator, spoke at Chattanooga’s Jewish Federation commemoration of the Holocaust a few days after the SEITAR Symposium. It was inspiring to hear how AI can be ethically and effectively deployed in our classrooms. But the presentation concluded with a AI generated image of Hermione from the Harry Potter series (actress Emma Watson) happily reading Hitler’s book, Mein Kampf. And it made me sick to my stomach to learn what students might be seeing.
Yet, we must continue to learn because the Age of AI goes far beyond the classroom . That was was demonstrated the next day at the annual Project Voice conference. Organized by Bradley Metrock, who has brought Project Voice to Chattanooga several times, Project Voice focuses on conversational AI which we know as two-way interactions with online consumer support. A second focus is generative AI (GenAI) which takes existing data and creates new text, audio, videos and images. I held my breath over GenAI since it generates images like Hermione reading Mein Kampf. But it turns out GenAI also generates a voice that listens, understands and interacts with consumers, answering our questions and helping us.
I was grateful that Project Voice25 included a presentation by Lee Truax, a former pastor, regarding the biblical ethics of AI. I’m still a new student of AI, but aware that ethical governance is key to AI doing its best. That why there are independent contractors aligned with companies that train AI in language and ethics. And I decided to become one of them. But it’s clear that AI is changing so rapidly that it’s difficult to plan next steps, especially in Chattanooga.
Chattanooga is already known as Gig City. And since 2022, EPB has had a quantum computer network that enables faster data processing and problem solving. There’s an expansion in the works with EPB and its partner IonQ, a global leader in quantum technology, launching a Quantum Center in 2026. Expect more powerful and versatile AI models with wide use since EPB plans to sell access to other companies. Buckle up, Chattanooga! Seriously, our world is being reshaped daily. You need to learn about AI whether you’re in the classroom, or not.
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