2025 Employer Educator Series Presents Synergy Summit on AI and the Future of Education

On Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, faculty, administrators, and industry leaders gathered at the LSU Lod Cook Conference Center for the 2025 Employer Educator Series event titled Synergy Summit: Faculty, Industry, and AI Shaping Future Education. The summit brought together 92 participants from 28 institutions across Louisiana to discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming the workforce and what that transformation means for teaching and learning. 

Throughout the day, conversations focused on the practical realities facing today’s students: employers increasingly expect graduates to arrive with experience, adaptability, and technical fluency. The event created space for higher education and industry leaders to share perspectives for preparing students to meet that challenge. 

If you were unable to attend, you can watch the event recording here.  

Louisiana’s Innovation Ecosystem and the Role of Higher Education 

The Summit opened with remarks from Kappie Mumphrey, Vice President of LSU Online & Continuing Education, who welcomed participants and positioned the event as part of LSU’s broader commitment to workforce alignment and innovation. 

The opening keynote was followed by a statewide perspective from Josh Fleig, Chief Innovation Officer at Louisiana Economic Development. Fleig spoke about Louisiana’s push to grow technology-enabled startups and attract corporate innovation, highlighting the state’s newly launched Division of Innovation. The division focuses on investing in commercializing new technologies across key sectors including energy, defense and aerospace, trade and logistics, and agribusiness. 

Fleig also addressed the pace of change driven by automation and generative AI, noting how these tools are already influencing industries like education and transportation. While he expressed optimism about Louisiana’s position in what he described as the “sixth industrial wave” of sustainability, automation, digitization, and AI, he also stressed the importance of focusing on practical, job-creating applications rather than overinvesting in untested platforms. 

Panel One - The Future of Work: AI’s Impact on Industry & Education 

The first panel examined the impact of artificial intelligence across healthcare, workforce systems, and the energy sector. Moderated by Brian Davis, the discussion included leaders working at the forefront of AI implementation: 

• Dr. Yun Shen - AI for Hypertension Management in Type 2 Diabetes, Pennington Biomedical Research Center 

• Scott Simeone - VP Experience and Digital Transformation, Ochsner Health 

• Andy Quick - VP & Chief AI Officer, Entergy 

• Tony Zanders – CEO, Nexus Louisiana 

Panelists described how artificial intelligence is being used for applications ranging from disease screening and treatment to workforce planning and infrastructure optimization. Successful AI deployment depends on more than automation: data quality, ethical considerations, and human oversight remain essential. 

The discussion also underscored how important AI literacy is. Technical skills alone are not enough; students must develop the ability to evaluate, interpret, and responsibly apply AI tools. Speakers shared personal examples of using AI for research, writing, and analysis, noting the variation in capabilities across different platforms and the importance of understanding their limitations as well as their strengths. 

Panel Two - Educators on the Frontlines of AI in the Classroom 

The second panel turned its attention to the academic practice, exploring how faculty are incorporating artificial intelligence into teaching while preparing students for a shifting job market. Moderated by Dr. Radhika Krishnadas, the panel featured: 

• Dr. Ibrahim Baggili – Division Chair & Richardson Professor, Louisiana State University 

• Dr. Katie Dawson – AVP for Academic Innovation, University of Louisiana System 

• Dr. Toni Weaver-Myer – Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Innovation, Southern University 

• James McCrary, M.Ed. – Director of Innovative Teaching, River Parishes CC 

• Dr. Quentina Timoll – Superintendent, University View Academy 

Panelists discussed how AI tools can support instruction by reducing administrative workload, offering real-time and personalized student assistance, and generating insights from learning data. The conversation also highlighted the need to rethink assignments and assessments so they prioritize reasoning, creativity, and problem-solving instead of just mastering coursework. 

These faculty leaders discussed fostering environments where students can experiment with AI responsibly. Panelists also addressed the need for collaboration across institutions and industries to make sure educational practices are evolving alongside workforce expectations. 

Closing Keynote - The Great Unmasking 

The day concluded with a keynote from Dr. Asim Ali, Executive Director of the Biggio Center at Auburn University. 

Dr. Ali spoke about how AI is reshaping both instruction and assessment in higher education. He shared examples from his own teaching, where assignments have been redesigned to incorporate AI tools in ways that promote authentic learning and critical analysis. Instead of attempting to detect AI-generated work, he encouraged educators to focus on designing assessments aligned with real-world applications and learning outcomes. 

Dr. Ali also addressed the importance of AI literacy, equitable access to technology, and institutional collaboration. He urged faculty to approach AI not as a threat but as a catalyst for rethinking how teaching and learning can better support student success. 

Join Us in Shaping the Future of Louisiana Education  

The Synergy Summit created a place for honest dialogue, shared accountability, and collaborative planning at a time when higher education faces complex technological change. Here, connections that will continue shaping Louisiana’s workforce for years to come were strengthened. 

We welcome you to join the conversation next year as the Employer Educator Series continues to explore the intersection of teaching, technology, and workforce development. 

For questions or more information, please contact Marlela Clark LeBeouf at mclarklebeouf@lsu.edu.  

Watch the recording here.