WKU News

In an email to faculty, staff and students today (September 21), Western Kentucky University President Timothy C. Caboni announced that internationally recognized innovation expert, instructor at Stanford Online and Harvard’s DCE and bestselling author Jeremy Utley will serve as the speaker for the university's fourth annual Presidential Speaker Series event on Tuesday, November 3, at 7:00 p.m. CST in WKU's Van Meter Auditorium.

Utley will present Making AI More Human, a thought-provoking keynote address exploring how individuals and organizations can unlock the full potential of generative artificial intelligence. Drawing on cutting-edge research featured in The Wall Street Journal, Utley argues that many professionals fail to realize AI's greatest value because they approach it as they would any other technology. His presentation will challenge attendees to rethink their relationship with AI and demonstrate practical strategies for using these rapidly evolving tools to enhance creativity, problem-solving and innovation.

A highly sought-after speaker, Utley has delivered keynote presentations to audiences across industries, helping organizations understand how emerging technologies can strengthen human creativity rather than replace it. His practical and engaging approach makes complex concepts accessible while providing audiences with actionable strategies they can immediately apply in their professional and personal lives. Through his teaching, writing and consulting, Utley helps leaders and teams develop new approaches to problem-solving in an increasingly complex world. His research and insights have been featured by numerous media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, NPR and The Financial Times.

President Caboni said Utley's expertise comes at a pivotal moment as artificial intelligence continues to reshape education, business and everyday life.

“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,” President Caboni said. “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. 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.”

Utley is one of the world's leading voices on innovation, creativity and the practical application of artificial intelligence. He serves as an instructor at Stanford Online and Harvard’s DCE, where he teaches courses on innovation and entrepreneurship. Recognized as a Thinkers50 Top Ten Innovation Leader, he has equipped thousands of professionals across 70+ countries to integrate generative AI into their daily workflows.

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 explores how individuals and organizations can use emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to accelerate learning, creativity and performance. Utley 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.

The WKU Presidential Speaker Series brings influential thinkers and innovators to campus to engage students, faculty, staff, alumni and the broader community in conversations about topics shaping society. President Caboni has emphasized that each speaker is selected to inspire curiosity, encourage meaningful dialogue and complement the educational experiences of WKU students.

The inaugural Presidential Speaker Series event in 2023 featured renowned marine geologist and deep-sea explorer Dr. Robert Ballard, best known for discovering the wreck of the Titanic. The 2024 event welcomed internationally acclaimed neuroscientist and bestselling author Dr. Lisa Genova, while last year's speaker was nationally recognized psychologist and author Dr. Jean Twenge.

Utley's presentation is open to WKU students, faculty, staff, alumni and the public. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. Seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

No photography or recording of any kind is permitted during the presentation.

For more information about the Presidential Speaker Series, visit www.wku.edu/presidentialspeakerseries.

- WKU -

Western Kentucky University prides itself on positioning its students, faculty and staff for long term success. As a student-centered, applied research university, WKU helps students expand on classroom learning by integrating education with real-world applications in the communities we serve. Our hilltop campus is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, which was recently named by Reader’s Digest as one of the nicest towns in America, just an hour’s drive from Nashville, Tennessee.