AI sparks diverse reactions as it revolutionizes work, education, and daily life. To explore its impact, David Rubinger of the Atlanta Business Chronicle hosted a roundtable with AI leaders from business and academia, including Pascal Van Hentenryck, the A. Russell Chandler III chair and professor, Georgia Institute of Technology, director, NSF AI Institute for Advances in Optimization (AI4OPT). 

The discussion highlighted AI’s transformative potential in various fields. AT&T’s Andy Markus and Venessa Harrison discussed their use of AI to optimize operations and customer service, while Donnie Beamer from Atlanta described efforts to regulate and educate the public about AI. Van Hentenryck emphasized AI's broad societal impact, predicting significant advancements in energy management, supply chains, manufacturing, and personalized healthcare.

Panelists also addressed public fears about AI job displacement and stressed the importance of education and awareness to foster acceptance. They noted that AI will create new job opportunities and emphasized the need for regulatory frameworks to ensure responsible AI use. Efforts to bridge the digital divide and democratize AI access were also discussed, highlighting initiatives to train educators and students from underrepresented communities.

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