Deacs.AI

Your AI isn’t a genius; it’s more like a parrot in a tuxedo. Linguist Jerid Francom joins the show to deconstruct the linguistic tricks of Large Language Models and reveal why the "ghost" in the grammar is often just a statistical illusion. He'll lay out a roadmap for the radical act of digital independence. We explore how to break free from Big Tech’s grip by using Hugging Face and edge AI to run...

Higher education is facing a crossroads that looks a lot like the early days of the pandemic. Artificial Intelligence has forced a sudden evolution, allowing us to revisit our training based on first principles. Linguistic expert Jerid Francom riffs on the explosion of possibilities and the foundations of the pedagogical process as we charge ahead. We explore the tension between efficiency and int...

Forget the tuxedos and the martinis. Sarra Alqahtani is training a different class of super agent. In this episode, we go inside the lab to see how "Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning" is being used to protect the planet. We move past the hype of chatbots to look at AI that actually does things; navigating complex environments, making split-second decisions, and solving problems without a human ho...

Join Ryan Scholl and Michael Ferrari for the final installment of our "Best of 2025" series on the Deacs. AI podcast. In this episode, titled "The Soul and the Mission," Wake Forest innovators explore the vital importance of preserving the human spirit in the age of Artificial Intelligence. We discuss building ethical guardrails by looking at historical parallels—from Platos early fears about the...

Join Michael Ferrari and Ryan Scholl for Part 2 of our "Best of 2025" series on the Deacs. AI podcast. In this episode, Wake Forest innovators discuss the evolution of AI in higher education—from the initial shock of ChatGPT's arrival to the sophisticated ways faculty are now harnessing it for teaching and research. We explore the "philosophy of the struggle" in learning, practical tools like the...

As we ring in the new year, Michael Ferrari and Ryan Scholl present a special recap of the most impactful conversations from the Deacs. AI podcast throughout 2025. From the "first 10 hours" of experimenting with tools like Google Gemini and Claude to the rise of autonomous AI agents, this episode synthesizes a year of rapid innovation at Wake Forest. We explore how AI is transforming repetitive wo...

On this special episode of Deacs. AI, we explore the intersection of liberal arts education and emerging technologies through the lens of Pro Humanitate. University leaders Mur Muchane, Vice President for Information Technology and CIO, and Anne Hardcastle, Associate Provost for Academic Affairs, detail how Wake Forest is integrating generative artificial intelligence into curricula, not as a repl...

Ryan, Sarah, and Michael report from Wake Forest AI Fest 2025 and give their impressions of some of the presentations and panels that they saw during day 2 and discuss what has stuck out to them so far. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at

Ryan and Michael report from Wake Forest AI Fest 2025 and give their first impressions of some of the presentations and panels that they saw during day 1 and discuss what has stuck out to them so far. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at

As AI begins to simulate human behavior, the lines between "processing" and "understanding" are blurring. But is an AI model actually conscious, or is it just a really efficient parrot? Join us as we welcome Dr. Kevin Jung to explore the philosophical and theological gaps between artificial intelligence and the human experience. Dr. Jung challenges the idea that AI can possess "personhood," arguin...

We have spent the last few years enthralled by Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT. But leading researchers at Google DeepMind and Meta are already moving on to the next big thing: World Models. While LLMs predict the next word in a sentence, World Models predict the next frame in a video or the consequence of an action in physical space. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us a...

From Plato to Python, alumnus Bill Zandi proves how his liberal arts degree combined with the power of generative artificial intelligence has removed the barriers to creation. The old rules of business are broken and he's rewritten them. Tune in as he doles out advice to graduating students and explains how anyone can now build a one-person conglomerate. For questions, comments, or anything else,...

How do you balance academic integrity with necessary innovation? In this episode, Michael and Ryan sit down with Chris Sheridan (Documentary Film Program) and William Cochran (Computer Science) from Wake Forest University. The group discusses their unique cross-departmental collaboration and the "Stoplight Approach" to AI assignments—defining when AI use is a "Go," when to proceed with caution, an...

Beware of brain rot (yup, we went there)! Computer Science professor and Triple Deac, Sarah Parsons, teaches us that when used properly, AI can be a powerful tool for education. But relying on it leads to lazy thinking and flawed outputs. Learn how this effervescent professor is redesigning her classroom to embrace the cognitive struggle, teach students to use AI as a co-pilot, not a pilot, and wh...

From the soul of an artist to the health of our planet, what is the true price of artificial intelligence? Behavioral psychologist, Jason Fanning, confronts the heavy ethical and environmental toll of our new digital assistants. We traverse the AI universe covering topics such as what it means to learn, the massive energy consumption behind every query, and the fundamental question of what we're o...

In this episode, Michael experiments with the AI platform Suno to reimagine familiar songs and reflects on the ethical challenges and creative possibilities of AI in music production. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at

While they may appear to some as fantastical, university Finance departments are not run with magic. Kim Crewey and Allison Belton are in the trenches, using digital agents to untangle complex account reconciliations, custom chatbots to improve customer service, and specialized knowledge bases to demystify dozens of financial policies. This is a practical look at how technology is revolutionizing...

Generative AI is sold as the ultimate solution to writer's block and creative struggle. We're all tempted by the promise of a perfect, polished result without the painful work. But what if the very struggle and failure we're trying to escape is the most vital part of the creative process? Writing professors Ryan Shirey and Carter Smith argue that in our rush to embrace AI's effortless perfection,...

What if your final paper wasn't a paper at all, but a custom digital brain you built yourself? Physics professor, and mad scientist, Jed Macosko threw out the old rulebook and turned his classroom into an AI laboratory. He didn't just allow his students to use new thinking tools—he challenged them to master them. Hear how freshmen are vibe-coding their own apps, replacing essays with agents, and d...

Years ago, he declared "Career Services Must Die." Now, as intelligent systems rewrite the rules for professional success, Wake Forest's Vice President for Personal and Career Development, Andy Chan, returns with an even bolder message: it's time to stop chasing job titles and start building a life. This episode is a masterclass on navigating the new world of work. Learn why an entrepreneurial min...

Get ready to explore the game-changing new features that have completely redesigned Google's Notebook LM. In this episode, we're joined by Ryan to break down the massive, surprise update that has users buzzing. We'll take you through the revamped Studio panel, from the four new audio overview formats—including briefs, critiques, and debates—to the ability to customize output language, length, and...

AI is amazing… most of the time. Join Michael and Ryan, who generally believe in the power of artificial intelligence but are not afraid to point out when it misses the mark. From flat out AI failures, to deeper ethical dilemmas, we dive into the parts of AI that bug us—even as we root for its success. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at

Finance professor, Philip Howard, will probably take over the world one day. Why? Because he can. How? Just by speaking his ideas into existence. A new era is dawning as the era of "I don't know how" has faded into obsolescence. This episode unveils a groundbreaking approach where speaking in plain English can command satellites, analyze financial data, and build powerful new systems. Discover how...

Ever wondered what people actually do with AI besides writing term papers? In this quick dive, Michael shares some of the most interesting, practical, and downright clever replies he received after asking listeners for their AI use cases. From generating gardening tips and creating new recipes to drafting employee spotlights, this episode is all about seeing how these tools are becoming a part of...

Is it okay to cut off a Tesla? Can you be friends with a chatbot? Should you say "please" and "thank you" to a machine? We sit down with former tech bro turned philosopher, Tobias Flattery, to explore the curious ethics of artificial intelligence, from the responsibility of its creators to how our interactions with these systems might be quietly reshaping how we treat each other. It’s a deep and e...