Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Students Use AI to Solve Business Problems
Students at the Harrison County campus of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College are learning how to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to solve real-world business problems.
Learning AI for Business
Instructors are teaching the students to harness AI as a tool, emphasizing its responsible use. The course, now in its second semester, started with seven students and currently has 11 enrolled.
"It’s where we can get local businesses to offer a problem that they have to get a solution with AI," says Information Technology instructor Vic Gauthreaux.
Course Focus and Benefits
The course focuses on helping businesses identify and implement AI solutions tailored to their specific needs. Students explore the AI workflow, including data analysis, preparation, and model selection, to achieve efficiency.
"Every business has a different specific issue that they want to implement AI with, and we try to focus on what their needs are," Gauthreaux explains. “A lot of folks are happy to use it because it speeds up their workflow during the day. It takes away a lot of redundant tasks, and that is the benefit."
AI and Job Displacement
While AI may streamline tasks, there are concerns about its potential impact on jobs. Dr. Kollin Napier, Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer at the Mississippi AI Network, addresses these concerns:
"When we have the conversation about [job displacement], we think about spreadsheets. The introduction of Excel did not remove the accountants from the picture. In healthcare, with radiology advancement in technology did not remove those radiologists from the picture. It only amplified the work and was able to revolutionize outcomes and produce faster results."
"The same thing is applicable here with AI, or specifically, generative AI, where it is applicable to any sector, any occupation, any role where we are going to see tasks redesigned and shifting from mundane work to more oversight and judgment for what we can do as a human worker," Napier adds.