The UAB Collat School of Business is bringing together industry innovators, faculty, students and business professionals for a new one-day event focused on practical applications of artificial intelligence in today’s organizations.
The AI in Action: Business Summit will take place from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. April 10 at the Collat School of Business, featuring keynote presentations and hands-on sessions designed to move beyond AI hype and into real business use. Register here.
The summit reflects Collat’s growing role as a connector between academic insight and industry practice in the rapidly evolving AI landscape, says Chris Shook, Ph.D., dean of the Collat School of Business. “By convening leaders from AI-forward companies and organizations across the region and beyond, this event will showcase how Birmingham-area businesses and partners are actively implementing AI to drive innovation, efficiency and competitive advantage,” Shook said.
Leaders share real-world AI applications
Participants will hear from speakers representing venture development, corporate innovation, government and emerging AI companies. Confirmed speakers include:
- Shegun Otulana, Harmony Venture Labs
- Anurag Banerjee, Quilt AI
- Thea Ducrow, Bird’s AI View
- Vitale Hardin, Vitale & Company
- Saksham Narang, Yuva Biosciences
- Austin Senseman, Birmingham AI
- Steven Stith, Shell
Additional speakers from leading AI-enabled organizations will be announced, said Cori Perdue, director of Professional Education at the school.
“The summit sessions will center on real implementation stories and hands-on practice breakouts,” Perdue said. “Speakers will also share candid lessons learned during adoption, including challenges, risks and decision-making considerations.”
Interactive format designed for practical learning
A defining feature of the AI in Action summit is its highly interactive structure, adds Haley Nolen, program director for Professional Education at the Collat School of Business. “Attendees will engage in a mix of keynote talks and live solution builds alongside breakout tracks and applied learning activities,” Nolen said.
Hands-on sessions will provide participants with frameworks, tools and guiding questions they can use to begin or expand responsible AI experimentation within their own organizations. The multi-track format allows attendees to explore topics aligned with their industry context, business function or level of AI maturity. Tracks include:
- Marketing & Growth;
- People, Talent & Ethics;
- Strategy & Transformation;
- Health Sector Innovation; and
- Security, Risk, & Regulation.
“This experiential approach reflects Collat’s emphasis on applied business education and its commitment to preparing students and organizations for emerging technology adoption,” Perdue said. “By welcoming practitioner experience, the summit aims to translate complex AI concepts into actionable business strategy.”
Strengthening industry–university collaboration
The AI in Action: Business Summit also highlights Collat School of Business’s ongoing collaboration with regional industry partners, Perdue added. “As companies across sectors integrate AI into operations, decision-making, and customer engagement, the need for shared learning and workforce readiness continues to grow.”
Through initiatives such as this summit, “Collat Professional Education is expanding opportunities for business leaders and organizations to engage with university expertise while equipping them with a mindset of lifelong learning and continuous education,” Perdue said.
The event, organized and supported by Collat Professional Education and the MBA program, aligns with the school’s broader mission to deliver forward-looking business education and professional development that respond to evolving workforce needs. “By convening professionals, educators, students, and innovators in a collaborative environment, the summit demonstrates how Birmingham and UAB are contributing to conversations about responsible and effective AI adoption in business,” Perdue said.
By the end of the day, participants will leave with:
- Clear examples of how organizations are applying AI to solve business problems
- Honest perspectives on adoption challenges and success factors
- Practical starting points for responsible AI experimentation
- Connections with regional leaders and innovators advancing AI-enabled business practice
Registration is required: Get tickets, see the speaker lineup and agenda and learn more here.