Impact Conference Explores AI, Education

Westmont’s annual Impact Conference, co-sponsored by Salesforce, explores opportunities and dangers using artificial intelligence tools in education Thursday, July 25, and Friday, July 26, in the Global Leadership Center. Tickets to the two-day event cost $100 with breakfast and lunch provided both days. To register or get more information, please visit westmont.edu/impact.

“The conference, geared toward leaders in education, explores how technology can complement and enhance rather than replace relationships among humans,” says Zak Landrum, director of Westmont’s Center for Applied Technology Lab (CATLab), CRM and data services at Westmont. “As colleges and universities grapple with the role of AI and the disruption that will inevitably occur in our society, the Impact Conference offers a chance for leaders of these institutions to consider the path ahead.”

The conference includes keynote talks from Vala Afshar, Chief Digital Evangelist at Salesforce; Julia Freeland Fisher, director of education at the Clayton Christensen Institute; Ash Black, director of AI and industry at the University of Arizona; Emilio Reyes Le Blanc, Azure Core solution specialist at Microsoft; and Mike Ryu, associate professor of computer science at Westmont and director of engineering for CATLab.

“These speakers bring so much wisdom from years of work in the tech industry,” Landrum says. “In a constantly changing landscape, they’ve managed to keep relationships, positivity and courage at the center of their work. I’m excited to learn from them.”

Afshar, author of the recently released book Boundless, co-host for the podcast DisrupTV and a major tech industry influencer with over 970,000 followers on X, will offer strategies to inspire innovation in business. 

Freeland Fisher, an expert in discovering innovative practices in educational technology and bringing them into the public spotlight, will share her latest thinking about the impact of AI on educational institutions and how AI can potentially benefit students.

Black leads a team of 60 students this summer building AI solutions across multiple platforms, including VR/AR environments. He’ll examine ways educational institutions can adapt and work with non-sentient intelligence.

Le Blanc, an experienced technical sales leader with expertise in data strategy, analytics, AI and cloud platforms, will describe working in the center of the AI storm in Silicon Valley and how industry partnerships open new opportunities for creating educational communities of the future.

Ryu will facilitate several student presentations about AI projects developed this summer through the generous support of the Fletcher Jones Foundation.

In 2018, Westmont became the first school to create a program like CATLab, which includes the collaborative efforts of faculty, staff, and students. Working during the summer, students gain substantial professional experience that helps them find internships in Santa Barbara and employment after graduation. “By allowing students to create our Salesforce infrastructure, we’re pioneering a model that provides low-cost technology solutions to Westmont and invaluable experience to students,” Landrum says.

“Thanks to the support of my mentors at CATLab, I’ve learned to step into different roles that used to intimidate me,” says Westmont senior Rosario Montane. “I’ve learned to be confident in my skills but humble enough to always adapt and learn from others. Most importantly, I’ve learned that beyond all job opportunities and technological advancement, our most valuable asset is still human connection.”

The Education Trailblazer Academy, offering practical information to help higher education officials successfully use Salesforce at their institution, begins Wednesday, July 24, at 1 pm.