Dear Colleagues,
The start of a new academic year has once again highlighted what makes WKU special.
Every day, our faculty and staff create opportunities for students to learn, grow
and discover their potential. In classrooms, residence halls, offices, laboratories
and student spaces, your commitment helps shape an environment where students can
succeed and feel connected to our campus community.
To that end, I’m pleased to share news about one of WKU's signature events. On Tuesday, November 3, at 7:00 p.m. in Van Meter Auditorium, we will welcome internationally recognized innovation expert,
instructor at Stanford Online and Harvard’s DCE and bestselling author Jeremy Utley
as the featured guest for the fourth annual Presidential Speaker Series.
Jeremy Utley is widely regarded as a leading authority on innovation, creativity and
the practical application of artificial intelligence. His work has been featured by
major media outlets including The Wall Street Journal, NPR and The Financial Times, and he regularly advises leaders seeking innovative approaches to complex challenges.
As an instructor at Stanford Online and Harvard’s DCE, he teaches innovation and entrepreneurship
and has helped thousands of professionals in more than 70 countries adopt generative
AI as part of their everyday work. Named a Thinkers50 Top Ten Innovation Leader, he
is known for translating emerging ideas into practical strategies that help individuals
and organizations perform at their highest levels.
He is the co-author of the national bestseller Ideaflow: The Only Business Metric That Matters and the forthcoming book The Human Advantage: What AI Can’t Do Without You, which examines how new technologies can accelerate learning, creativity and performance.
Jeremy has generously offered to mail event attendees a FREE copy of his upcoming book once released on November 10, 2026. Details about how to receive a free copy of his
book will be provided during the event to all who are in attendance.
During his keynote presentation, Making AI More Human, Utley will explore how people can unlock greater value from generative artificial
intelligence by changing the way they think about and interact with these tools. Drawing
on recent research and real-world examples, he will challenge common assumptions about
AI and demonstrate how it can be used to amplify human creativity, strengthen problem-solving
and spark new ideas. Attendees will gain practical insights that can be applied immediately
in professional, academic and personal settings.
As we experienced with the internet in the mid-1990s, we are in the early stages of
a transformation that will only deepen and expand. AI is not a passing moment or something
that will fade quietly into the background, and it’s rapidly influencing nearly every
aspect of modern life, from education and research to business and communication.
Our students recognize this, and, in some cases, are uneasy about it. They worry about
what it means for their futures, their careers and for the value of the work they
are preparing to do.
As these technologies continue to evolve, thoughtful conversations about their opportunities
and implications are increasingly important. Our students, and many of us, are using
these tools, and we must consider what role AI should play and how we shape that role
with intention, care and integrity. Jeremy’s perspective offers a compelling framework
for understanding how AI can complement human ingenuity rather than replace it, making this presentation especially relevant for students, educators, professionals
and community members.
The Presidential Speaker Series was established to bring influential thinkers and
innovators to WKU and create opportunities for meaningful dialogue around issues shaping
our world. Previous speakers have included renowned ocean explorer Dr. Robert Ballard,
bestselling neuroscientist Dr. Lisa Genova and psychologist and author Dr. Jean Twenge.
We are excited to continue that tradition with a speaker whose work sits at the forefront
of one of today's most important conversations.
Jeremy Utley’s presentation is free and open to students, faculty, staff, alumni and
members of the public. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. Seating will be available on a
first-come, first-served basis. Photography, video recording and audio recording will not be permitted during the
event. Additional information about the Presidential Speaker Series is available at
www.wku.edu/presidentialspeakerseries.
I hope you will join us for what promises to be an engaging and timely discussion.
Go Tops!
Best,
Timothy C. Caboni
Some of the links on this page may require additional software to view.