Introduction: The 2026 UW-Oshkosh Campus AI Workshop was a significant event held on January 27, bringing together faculty and staff to explore the myriad ways artificial intelligence can be effectively utilized across various sectors of the university. This engaging day aimed to foster collaboration and promote responsible use of AI tools in education and administration.
From classrooms and research labs to student support services and administrative workflows, artificial intelligence took center stage during the 2026 UW-Oshkosh Campus AI Workshop, a full-day event on Jan. 27 designed to help faculty and staff better understand how AI tools can be used responsibly and effectively across the university.
Hosted in Sage Hall, the multi-track workshop attracted over 200 participants from various campus sectors, including academic departments, student services, administrative units, and campus leadership. The agenda featured a keynote address, an industry panel, presentations by students, and breakout sessions focused on teaching, research, student support, and administrative efficiency.
Seon Yoon Chung, dean of the College of Nursing, Health Professions, and STEM, and the driving force behind UW-Oshkosh’s AI Trailblazers initiative, emphasized that the workshop was intentionally crafted to cater to diverse roles within the campus community.
Chancellor Manohar Singh (right) and Seon Yoon Chung, dean of the College of Nursing, Health Professions, and STEM, at the 2026 UW-Oshkosh Campus AI Workshop in Sage Hall.
“This workshop was designed to unite our campus community in exploring the rapidly evolving world of AI, enhancing our collective understanding and building practical skills applicable to teaching, research, student support, and administrative tasks,” Chung stated. “We aim to ignite collaboration, demystify new tools, and position UW-Oshkosh as a leader in responsible and innovative approaches in this new era.”
Chancellor Manohar Singh inaugurated the day by framing the workshop within a broader historical and educational landscape, emphasizing the continuity of the university’s mission amidst technological advancements.
“With each industrial revolution, from the printing press to the internet, changes have come and gone. Yet our mission as a university remains steadfast, regardless of whether AI flourishes or fades,” Singh remarked.
Singh urged faculty and staff to view innovation as integral to that perpetual mission.
“Success lies in your ability to take calculated risks and be pioneers,” he asserted. “You shape our future and our destiny.”
Keynote speaker Javad Ahmad, standing, president and COO of Smart IS International, moderates an industry panel with Elaine Stephens, head of customer engineering for Google in Wisconsin; Kyle McMillan, chief information and technology officer at Plexus Corp.; and Mike Bertello, senior vice president and chief information officer at Faith Technologies Inc., during the 2026 UW-Oshkosh Campus AI Workshop.
From Curiosity to Strategy
The keynote address was delivered by Javad Ahmad, former president and COO of Smart IS International. He urged educational institutions to view AI as more than just a novel concept or a regulatory concern.
In his presentation, Ahmad argued that higher education stands at a critical juncture, with swift changes in workforce demands prompting a reevaluation of how learning is designed, executed, and measured.
“Instead of asking, ‘Does AI belong in higher education?’ we should be asking, ‘Will AI be just a curiosity, or will it become a strategic asset for UW-Oshkosh?’” Ahmad asserted.
Ahmad highlighted that while AI has not created many pressures facing higher education, it has illuminated existing gaps in how students are prepared versus the expectations of employers — adaptability, critical thinking, and continuous learning.
Presenting student AI projects during the 2026 UW-Oshkosh Campus AI Workshop are from left, Sanaullah Jannisar, a senior majoring in information and web management; Joshua Waite, a junior computer science major; Paul Voigt, a junior computer science major; and Jacob Heron, a December graduate now working for Faith Technologies.
Industry Perspective on Workforce Readiness
The discussion transitioned seamlessly to a panel moderated by Ahmad, featuring industry leaders Elaine Stephens, head of customer engineering for Google in Wisconsin; Kyle McMillan, chief information and technology officer at Plexus Corp.; and Mike Bertello, senior vice president and chief information officer at Faith Technologies Inc.
Bertello, a UW-Oshkosh alumnus, discussed what employers seek as AI becomes increasingly integrated into daily operations.
“AI is extraordinarily relevant, especially in the workforce, and its advancement is rapid,” said Bertello, who earned an MBA from UW-Oshkosh in 1995. “We need innovative thinkers and problem solvers with a solid foundation in technology fundamentals.”
McMillan elaborated on AI’s transformative effect on how companies approach training and workforce development, emphasizing a more personalized learning experience complemented by strong interpersonal skills.
McMillan noted that Plexus customizes training paths for individual employees rather than using a blanket approach, facilitating movement across various domains like IT, supply chain, manufacturing, or HR. He highlighted that effective communication and group learning remain essential in this evolving environment.
“Not everyone’s progression will be identical,” McMillan stated. “AI won’t manage relationships for you; interpersonal interaction is still paramount.”
He highlighted the necessity of fostering closer ties between industry and academia to ensure graduates are well-equipped with both technical expertise and collaboration skills.
Stephens emphasized that the use of AI is already a fundamental expectation in workplaces like Google.
“At Google, embracing AI is vital to our daily work,” Stephens remarked. “I find it concerning when universities debate whether AI is cheating or should be avoided. To us, it enhances our efficiency and fosters innovative thinking.”
“AI is essentially a partner that challenges my thought process and enhances learning speed, and without it, my relevance would diminish,” she added.
Bertello acknowledged UW-Oshkosh as a vital resource for talent, citing that Faith Technologies has recruited numerous interns and graduates from the institution.
“Every intern we’ve taken from UW-Oshkosh has received a job offer,” he confirmed.
Industry panelist Mike Bertello, senior vice president and chief information officer at Faith Technologies Inc., fields a question.
Students Apply AI in Real-World Projects
Student presentations showcased how AI tools can transition from theoretical concepts to practical applications. Four students represented their UWO project teams, detailing the development and testing of each tool.
Jacob Heron, a December 2025 graduate now with Faith Technologies, and Paul Voigt, a junior studying computer science, showcased the Wallet Wise team project. This app aims to enhance financial literacy by assisting users in understanding spending habits and budget management.
Joshua Waite, a junior computer science major, presented the Syllabi Simplify initiative, which assists students in managing assignments by consolidating deadlines, requirements, and course materials in a single platform.
Sanaullah Jannisar, a senior majoring in information and web management, introduced the Snap Inspect AI project, designed to enhance efficiency in inspection reporting for construction sites and rental properties by speeding up defect identification and report generation.
“AI helps us save time and accomplish tasks more efficiently,” Jannisar explained. “It possesses a vast knowledge base that can bridge gaps we may face due to inexperience.”
All three projects were created in CS 100: AI for All, an introductory course exploring artificial intelligence and generative AI through hands-on projects and collaborative work.
Breakout Sessions Across Campus Roles
Throughout the day, participants attended various breakout sessions tailored to specific campus roles and experience levels. Topics included applying ethical and pedagogical guidelines in education, leveraging AI tools for research workflows, promoting student accessibility and career development, and enhancing administrative efficiency using platforms like Microsoft Copilot.
Workshops highlighted practical cases alongside responsible use, assisting attendees in determining when and how AI tools can bolster academic objectives while upholding integrity and human judgment.
A member of the crowd was among more than 200 UWO faculty and staff who signed up to attend the daylong AI workshop.
Maria Graf, an associate professor and international studies coordinator in the School of Nursing and Health Professions, attended several breakout sessions focused on AI’s role in education, support services, and administrative tasks.
“The AI workshop deepened my understanding of new tools created to enrich our students’ learning experiences,” Graf noted. “I was truly impressed by the vast range of AI applications in higher education, which extend well beyond student enrollment and continue to facilitate their transition into their professional lives.”
Graf additionally acknowledged the responsibility educators bear as AI tools proliferate.
“A key takeaway for me is acknowledging that technologies like AI are inevitable. We must be prepared to understand and adapt them to address our students’ academic requirements,” she said. “Our students already utilize these tools, making it our duty to guide them in leveraging AI effectively and ethically to enhance their academic success.”
Conclusion: The 2026 UW-Oshkosh Campus AI Workshop proved to be a pivotal event, equipping faculty and staff with the knowledge and tools needed to integrate AI responsibly into educational practices. As the landscape of higher education continues to evolve, strong collaboration across disciplines will be essential to harness the full potential of AI in enriching both teaching and student experiences.
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