Business Department Holds Monthly Business Forum on Artificial Intelligence
Written by: Dr. Andrea Baldwin, Professor of Marketing & Management
TAKOMA PARK, Md. – On Oct. 20, 2024, Washington Adventist University’s Business Department hosted its second Monthly Business Forum in WH Room 433. Mr. Alvin Jones, a SharePoint engineer at Accenture Federal Services and contractor for the Environmental Protection Agency, delivered a presentation on “Artificial Intelligence and Business Applications.”
Jones shared how his early passion for electronics led him to pursue degrees in programming, web development, and software development. His recent MIT certificate in designing and building AI products and services underscores his commitment to continuous learning in his field.
Business students from various concentrations learned about the impact of artificial intelligence on today’s business landscape and its future applications. Jones illustrated how AI algorithms are used to analyze customer data, target marketing campaigns, and enhance engagement and conversion rates. He introduced tools like EquBot, which leverages machine learning to analyze financial data for investment decisions, and AI stock trading bots that predict high-probability trade signals. For instance, the TrendSpider bot utilizes AI to recognize chart patterns, conduct backtesting, and facilitate auto-trading, offering insights into stock behavior.
Jones also demonstrated Hootsuite Insights, an AI-powered social media analytics tool, which provides real-time data and trends, tracks brand mentions, monitors sentiment, and analyzes competitor activity to optimize social media strategies. On a lighter note, he showed how AI can be used creatively to produce music and impressionistic art.
One student, Tatenda Chakanaka, shared, “The forum provided new insights on AI applications, from music and art to planning business ventures.” Another student, Ana Girarte Neria, said, “The presentation was very insightful. Seeing different AI tools in action made the topic easier to understand.”
These monthly forums aim to help students recognize and appreciate the real-world relevance of their studies. By connecting with business professionals, students gain exposure to models that support their professional development. The journey continues!
