The artificial intelligence transformation isn’t coming to business – it’s already here. As organizations across every industry grapple with how to harness AI’s potential while managing its challenges, one question emerges above all others: How do we prepare today’s professionals and tomorrow’s leaders for an AI-driven business landscape?
DePaul University’s Symposium for AI in Business addresses this critical question head-on, offering a comprehensive exploration of AI’s role in modern commerce. This intensive half-day event brings together industry leaders, educators, and students to examine not just what AI can do, but how we can do AI responsibly and effectively.
Why This Symposium Matters Now
Understanding AI in business requires more than just knowing the latest tools or trends. 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, building understanding from the ground up.
The event’s structure reflects this educational philosophy, moving 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
This symposium is designed for anyone seeking to understand AI’s business implications at a deeper level. Current business students will gain crucial insights into employer expectations and career preparation strategies. Working professionals can update their understanding of AI trends while developing frameworks for navigating AI implementation in their organizations.
Educators and trainers will appreciate the symposium’s systematic approach to complex topics, potentially informing their own curriculum development. Even those without technical backgrounds will find the content accessible, as the focus remains on business applications and implications rather than technical implementation details.
For Business Leaders
Understanding regional AI development helps participants grasp that artificial intelligence implementation isn’t uniform across markets. Chicago’s approach to business AI reflects specific economic strengths, industry clusters, and talent pipelines that create unique opportunities and challenges. This geographic lens provides a concrete framework for understanding how AI strategies must be tailored to local business environments.
For Students
Perhaps no topic generates more anxiety among current students and working professionals than the evolving job market. The panel discussion on AI skills employers are looking for addresses this concern directly by bringing together industry leaders and hiring managers from across sectors.
For Faculty
This session moves beyond generic advice about “learning AI” to examine specific competencies that different industries value most. Participants will discover that AI skills aren’t just technical – they encompass critical thinking about AI applications, understanding of AI limitations, and the ability to work effectively alongside AI systems. The cross-industry perspective reveals how AI skill requirements vary dramatically between sectors, helping attendees make more informed career decisions. The symposium encourages deep exploration of nuanced questions. For instance, how do employers balance AI technical skills with traditional business acumen? What’s the difference between AI literacy and AI expertise, and how do they impact career path requirements?
The Learning Experience
The symposium’s schedule balances intensive content delivery with strategic breaks that allow for reflection and informal networking. The afternoon timing (1:00 PM to 5:00 PM) accommodates working professionals while providing enough time for substantial exploration of each topic.
Beyond the Event
While the symposium provides comprehensive coverage of AI in business topics, it also serves as a launching point for continued exploration. Participants will leave with better questions to ask, clearer frameworks for evaluation, and stronger foundations for ongoing learning.
