DePaul University Symposium on AI in Business

Date: February 27, 2026 | 1:00–5:00 PM

DePaul University is proud to host its inaugural Symposium on AI in Business—an intensive half-day event bringing together industry leaders, educators, and students to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping modern commerce.

The Age of AI is producing significant uncertainty for professionals across every sector. This symposium will help you navigate a rapidly changing environment by examining not just what AI can do, but how we can implement it responsibly and effectively.

Agenda

• 1:00 – 1:20 PM: Welcome & Opening Remarks
• 1:20 – 1:50 PM: Opening Keynote
  • Paul Hsu (CEO and Founder, Decasonic)
• 1:50 – 2:00 PM: Short Break
• 2:00 – 2:50 PM: Panel Discussion: What AI skills are employers are looking for?
  • Moderator: Geoff Nyheim (Instructor, DePaul University)
  • Panelist: Matthew Hong (Senior AI Engineer, BCU)
  • Panelist: Sara Master (Director, Digital Integration (AI), Constellation Brands)
  • Panelist: Janaki Soni (Partner Marketing Analytics Manager, CDW)
• 2:50 – 3:00 PM: Short Break
• 3:00 – 3:30 PM: Presentation: AI Ethics and Governance in Business
  • Bamshad Mobasher (Professor of Computer Science, Director of the DePaul AI Institute, DePaul University)
• 3:30 – 3:40 PM: Short Break
• 3:40 – 4:10 PM: Presentation
  • Lynn Hazan (President, Lynn Hazan & Associates, Inc.)
  • Rylee Johnson (Student, DePaul University)
• 4:10 – 4:20 PM: Short Break
• 4:20 – 4:50 PM: Closing Keynote
  • Karrie Sullivan (Principal and Chief Transformation Officer, Culminate Strategy Group)
• 4:50 – 5:00 PM: Closing Remarks
• 5:00 – 6:30 PM: Networking and Refreshments

Why This Symposium Matters

Understanding AI in business requires more than knowing the latest tools. It demands a deep comprehension of how artificial intelligence is reshaping fundamental business processes, changing employer expectations, and creating new ethical considerations that every professional must navigate.

This symposium approaches these challenges systematically. The event’s structure moves participants through increasingly sophisticated concepts while maintaining practical relevance throughout. Rather than offering superficial overviews, each session dives deep into specific aspects of the AI business landscape.

Who Should Attend

Students

Gain crucial insights into employer expectations and career preparation strategies. The panel discussion addresses the evolving job market head-on, examining the specific competencies that different industries value most. You’ll discover that AI skills aren’t just technical—they encompass critical thinking about AI applications, understanding AI’s limitations, and the ability to work effectively alongside AI systems.

Working Professionals

Update your understanding of AI trends while developing frameworks for navigating AI implementation in your organization. Learn how employers balance AI technical skills with traditional business acumen and understand the difference between AI literacy and AI expertise.

Educators and Trainers

Benefit from the symposium’s systematic approach to complex topics, potentially informing your own curriculum development. The cross-industry perspectives offered throughout the event reveal how AI skill requirements vary dramatically between sectors.

Business Leaders

Explore how AI strategies must be tailored to local business environments. Chicago’s approach to business AI reflects specific economic strengths, industry clusters, and talent pipelines that create unique opportunities and challenges.

Even those without technical backgrounds will find the content accessible—the focus remains on business applications and implications rather than technical implementation details.

Location

This is a Flex event. You can attend in person or virtually via Zoom.

• In Person:
  Daley Building, Room 805 (8th Floor)
  14 E. Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60604
  Building entrances on both State Street and Jackson Boulevard
• Virtual:
  Zoom link provided upon registration

Registration

Register here.

Questions? Contact AI-Institute@depaul.edu