Deacs.AI

Long before it was planning party catering menus, artificial intelligence technology was giving a young developer a full-blown existential crisis. Wake Forest Law Professor Raina Haque shares her journey from building neural networks on Wall Street to teaching the laws that govern them. She'll guide us through the legal labyrinth of intellectual property in this hyper bewildering time. How does Th...

Journey through millenia as an ancient Greek philosopher's wisdom collides with advanced modern technology. Tune into this mind-bending conversation with philosopher and computer science professor, William Cochran, as he educates us about the crucial role of ethics in computer science. AI's rapid ascent demands a moral compass and the future of humanity may depend on teaching machines to be altrui...

Our expert guest wasn't available, so we did the only logical thing: we interviewed the machine itself. In a surprisingly clear conversation, ChatGPT breaks down the difference between the locked-down tech you know (the walled gardens controlled by the AI giants) and the free, customizable versions (the sprawling, collaborative gratis universe) taking the world by storm. It's a look inside the com...

In an AI-driven world, how do we teach students to be discerning researchers and critical thinkers? We're joined by a panel of ZSR librarians—Amanda Kaufman, Denice Lewis, and Elizabeth Ellis—to discuss the new challenges and opportunities for information literacy. They explore how to redesign assignments, the necessity of teaching students to verify AI-generated content, and why skills like later...

Ever get stuck recording a simple voice-over, repeating the same line until you're blue in the face? In this quick dive, Michael explores the fascinating world of AI voice cloning tools as a powerful way to save time and frustration. He discusses the process, the ethics, and puts the technology to a very personal test. You might be surprised by what you hear. For questions, comments, or anything e...

Is your AI conscious? We decided to ask it. Plus, what does an apricot dumpling in Vienna have to do with the future of humanity? For psychology professor Will Fleeson, it was a mind-blowing moment that revealed both the incredible promise and the unsettling power of artificial intelligence. Is it our utopian dream or dystopian nightmare? For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at

Take that cheat machines! Smarter learning is here. A cadre of new educational tools from Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic have arrived just in time for school to start. Built with scientifically backed pedagogical techniques, will these concept mastery tools be embraced by students? Have we unlocked the future of learning? Take a quick tour and then go try them for yourself. For questions, comments,...

Generative AI isn't just a new technology—it's a new frontier in human communication. We're joined by James Proszek, Director of Public Speaking, who provides a rich, historical context for our current AI moment, comparing society's reaction to everything from Plato's fear of the written word to the rise of chatbots. This episode unpacks the 'Black Box' of AI, exploring how we teach, communicate,...

Join Ryan and Michael as they discuss what goes into making the Deacs. AI podcast. It may surprise you to find out that it takes quite a bit of work. From the workflow, to the recording, to the editing, hear how "the sausage is made." It may also surprise you, or not, to find out that Ryan and Michael utilize quite a bit of AI while making the sausage! For questions, comments, or anything else, em...

Accessibility innovations make the world a better place for everyone. Audiobooks anyone? Automatic doors. Your AI voice assistant. Director of Technology Accessibility Eudora Struble imagines a world where technology empowers every single person. She lays out a roadmap for using artificial intelligence to build a more inclusive future with thoughtful design and human-centered principles. For quest...

Where do you even begin with learning about Generative AI on campus? Look no further, as Sarah Wojcik-Gross joins us to navigate the central hub for all things AI at Wake Forest. We highlight key resources including the official guidelines, hands-on workshops for tools like Adobe Firefly, the annual AI Fest, and the Deacs. AI podcast itself. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at

Wake Forest Professor of Practice Juan Hernandez lives a double life. In his day job, as an industry Head of Artificial Intelligence, he uses AI to produce results, drive market strategy, and spark productivity through ideation and eliminating meetings. In his part-time gig, he shapes the minds of the new up-and-coming business elite by guiding them toward knowledge self-acquisition. His secret AI...

What has the AI revolution looked like from a student's point of view? We're joined by Gabe Martineau, a recent Wake Forest graduate, who shares his unique experience of starting college before the ChatGPT boom and finishing after. Discover how faculty approaches, student usage, and the very nature of learning have evolved in just a few short years. For questions, comments, or anything else, email...

Remember those awkward telethon calls at dinnertime? The University Advancement team came up with a pretty wild idea to connect with alumni across generations, moving beyond old tactics to build deeply genuine relationships using an artificial intelligence agent. Uhh, what? Hear how they're using an AI-powered Virtual Engagement Officer to redefine connection, boost donor engagement without an arm...

We are on the cusp of an educational renaissance, but is it at the cost of human social skills? According to Shannon McKeen, generative artificial intelligence is reshaping the very foundation of learning. In this episode, we'll debate how AI forces educators to rethink everything from assessment design to promoting genuine cognitive effort. Hear how he leverages artificial intelligence to foster...

It will be hard to out-nerd this episode in the future. Beyond professional applications, AI is becoming a powerful tool for personal passions and hobbies. Join Michael as he details how his friend uses generative AI to build immersive tabletop gaming campaigns, reducing hours of prep work and unlocking a new level of creativity for storytelling, character design, and in-game challenges. For quest...

High school says no. Industry demands yes. Where does Generative Artificial Intelligence fit into the higher education and professional environments? Visual Analytics Professor Elizabeth Ricks tackles the thorny questions surrounding these concepts. Is collaborating with them a moral lapse, or essential for tomorrow's careers? Communication is key. Context matters. Conquer your weaknesses and ampl...

The future of intellectual development is at a crossroads. Betsy Barre, Assistant Provost and Executive Director of the Center for Advancement of Teaching, explores the 'messy,' nuanced relationship between advanced digital cognition and the human educational process. From the temptation of effortless answers to the profound need for deep analytical engagement, this conversation goes beyond the su...

At the crossroads of hard science and humanities: Dr. Fred Salsbury explores a compelling idea. How does a liberal arts education equip STEM students to engage more deeply and critically with sophisticated computational tools? What follows is a discussion about unlocking not just technical skill, but the crucial ability to evaluate, connect, and truly understand the outputs of these powerful new s...

Join Ryan for a solo ride through the creative chaos of parenting with AI. From building trivia games that pit his kids against each other to creating custom coloring pages and tutoring tools, this episode explores how generative AI can keep kids entertained, learning, and even improving their baseball swings—all while limiting screen time. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at

Can playing with digital action figures actually sharpen your communication skills? When is the right time to call AI for help? Wake Forest's top message-crafter and Assistant Vice President of Strategic Communications, Mark Anderson, shares how even whimsical experiments with new tech can lead to serious breakthroughs in how we connect. From unusual prompts to perfecting the University's voice, d...

Ryan and Michael reflect on the journey so far, revisiting key conversations and insights from past episodes. They dive into what they’ve learned through their ongoing discussions about AI—and how those insights are shaping their perspectives. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at

Amy Slack partners with artificial intelligence for just about everything these days. From meal planning and care giving and research and shopping to personalized tutoring and course design and information synthesis. She brainstorms ideas and crafts emails and critiques documentation and plans projects and even solves problems. If you're ready to discover practical applications of AI that can simp...

AI is changing everything, including cybersecurity. Information Security expert Jeff Teague breaks down how artificial intelligence helps protect campus systems, why you need to be smart about data privacy when using these tools, and how to navigate the complex security frontier safely. For questions, comments, or anything else, email us at

This episode is a real gem. Forget mass-produced jewelry; we're talking about hand-cut luxury: Gemini Gems. These tiny powerhouses are your own custom artificial intelligence experts. Learn how to build a personalized AI army so versatile it can streamline tedious work tasks, help with complex project management, personalize your nutrition plan, or coach you to clean up at the poker table. Ready t...