The Penn State Shenango Faculty Speakers Bureau added artificial intelligence, criminal justice, and cybersecurity to its list of subject matter topics. The Bureau connects faculty members with local school districts looking to supplement their curricula.
SHARON, Pa. — Penn State Shenango launched its Faculty Speakers Bureau in the fall of 2022 to connect faculty members with local school districts looking to supplement their curricula. Educators in the area can utilize the world-class subject matter experts and researchers available at Shenango at no cost.
As academic interests and research topics shift to keep pace with ever-changing industries and technologies, the Speakers Bureau has added to its already extensive array of topics to include criminal justice, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI).
In 2023, Grand View Research reported that AI is expected to see an annual growth rate of 37.3% between 2023 and 2030, and Goldman Sachs has estimated that AI can raise the global GDP (gross domestic product) by 7%, an impact that could cause many industries to change their practices drastically.
“There is no profession, discipline, field or business that won't be impacted,” said Penn State Shenango Assistant Teaching Professor of Communication Tiffany Petricini. “It's essential that we learn how to pivot in the quickly changing AI landscape.”
Petricini’s research examines the intersections of communication technologies and culture and has recently published on topics including AI and cognition, as well as AI uses within higher education. She currently serves in various roles at Penn State regarding AI and is an editor of an upcoming special issue of the international journal "Explorations in Media Ecology" focusing on AI.
“We have outstanding faculty here at Penn State Shenango who specialize in their respective fields,” said Campus Director Jo Anne Carrick. “The Faculty Speakers Bureau is an excellent opportunity for the community to take advantage of the expertise our faculty offer.”
Members of the Faculty Speakers Bureau teach in a variety of disciplines, including STEM, humanities, social sciences, and more. Faculty members can be available for virtual presentations, or in-person events at schools or on the Shenango campus. Those interested in the Bureau can select a topic and the Faculty Senate Outreach Committee at Penn State Shenango will connect them with an on-campus expert.
Visit the Penn State Shenango website to request a faculty speaker.
