Kennesaw State University has launched its Presidential Lecture Series, featuring Kathy Pham as the inaugural speaker. Pham is vice president of artificial intelligence at Workday and a lecturer in public policy at Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Her lecture, titled “AI Across Boundaries: The Only Way Forward,” took place at the Joe Mack Wilson Student Center on KSU’s Marietta Campus.
During her talk, Pham discussed the need for collaboration among industry, academia, government, venture capital, and advocacy groups to advance artificial intelligence technology, policy, education, and innovation. “We all have a role in the AI ecosystem,” Pham said. “A lot of conversations are happening now across those sectors about what should engineers build. How should we build it? What kinds of guardrails should we want in place? This takes many different sectors to figure out.”
The Presidential Lecture Series aims to highlight thought leaders and address topics that influence society while promoting academic excellence and public engagement at KSU. President Kathy S. Schwaig commented on the purpose of the series and Pham’s participation: “Our goal is to elevate issues of the day and to hear from experts who are pushing the boundaries on technologies, policies, and innovations that impact how we learn, work, and live our lives,” Schwaig said. “Kathy Pham was the perfect choice as our inaugural speaker. Her vast expertise and impactful voice offered critical insights as artificial intelligence continues to transform nearly every aspect of our personal and professional lives.”
Pham also participated in a conversation with Schwaig during the event. When asked about common misunderstandings regarding AI, Pham explained that users often expect AI tools to provide complete answers but may not realize these systems are limited by their training data. “One misunderstanding is that, even though this technology is in my lap, does it solve the problem I need it to address?” she said. “People are using AI to look up recipes and then using the same system to ask about medical issues they’re having.”
Pham acknowledged Kennesaw State University’s commitment to expanding opportunities in artificial intelligence education: “I am inspired by what you’re doing with AI here at Kennesaw State,” she said.
KSU recently introduced a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence degree program—the second such program in Georgia—and added two graduate-level certificate programs focused on artificial intelligence applications this fall.
Faculty members at KSU are incorporating AI into research projects ranging from non-invasive blood sugar monitoring devices for diabetics to real-time water quality assessment systems. Other efforts include agricultural automation for pest control in peanut and strawberry fields; development of smartphone-based imaging systems for early detection of diabetic retinopathy; and software designed to assist first responders with mental health emergency calls.
