Lindenwood University’s President’s Research, Innovation, and Development toward Excellence (PRIDE) Fund will support a new media project led by Senior Professor of Art History Dr. James Hutson. The project is focused on artificial intelligence and leadership.
The project will launch an eight-episode podcast pilot through the Human-Centered AI and Interactive Technology Hub. The series will explore AI across a variety of academic and professional settings. While students connect with industry experts and gain hands-on media production experience, the podcast will also bring Lindenwood’s work in AI education to a broader audience.
Hutson said the podcast can be a helpful resource to students and educators attempting to navigate the current AI landscape. “This provides an additional platform to showcase Lindenwood’s thought leadership in this area,” Hutson said. “This is the starting point of us being able to have a sustained voice in this area, help others through this disruptive time, and make sense of it from a leadership perspective.”
The project also creates learning opportunities for the students working behind the scenes. While General Manager of KCLC Radio Operations Chad Briesacher will support students with the project’s technical aspects, Hutson said the students will lead the production. By taking charge of directing, recording, and editing, students will learn through making the same decisions as industry professionals.
Hutson said the project grew from the research that began in 2021 into institutional AI adoption, strategy, and policy. The PRIDE grant will provide seed funding for the project as Hutson and the student team build the infrastructure needed to create and distribute the series. By releasing the podcast, Hutson intends to reach audiences beyond those of traditional academic publications.
Through the PRIDE Fund and Hutson’s project, students will gain real media production experience while engaging with conversations about AI and leadership. As the podcast develops, Hutson hopes it will help position Lindenwood as a trusted resource for those seeking to understand and adapt to the age of AI.