CONFERENCE THEME

The rapid advancements of artificial intelligence (AI) offer unprecedented potential to transform all aspects of our lives. As generative AI tools like ChatGPT demonstrate remarkable capabilities in generating human-like text (Alshater, 2022; Benuyenah, 2023; Rudolph et al., 2023; Zhai, 2022), they present opportunities to revolutionize higher education and enhance research efficiency (Alshater, 2022; Abd-Elsalam and Abdel-Momen, 2023). However, while these transformations have the potential for great good, there is a growing concern that if left unchecked they could also exacerbate existing inequalities, erode societal well-being, and create unforeseen ethical dilemmas (Alshater, 2022; Skavronskaya et al., 2023). 

It is imperative that we proactively refocus efforts to ensure these powerful technologies serve the betterment of humanity and foster an equitable future. This requires adopting principles of Human-Centered AI (HCAI), which places human flourishing at the core of AI development and usage (Shneiderman, 2020; Sison et al., 2023). Furthermore, integrating AI in education should be guided by a framework that synthesizes HCAI with the principles of social-emotional learning and authenticity to prioritize students' holistic development, human agency, ethics, and positive human-AI interactions (Conley, 2015; Coghlan, 2022).

This year's National Business and Management Conference on Re-furthering Human Development invites scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and industry leaders to converge and chart a pathway for utilizing AI as a collaborative tool for creating a thriving and just society. This conference recognizes the urgent need to harness the collective knowledge and expertise from the world of business, government, and the academe. Only through concerted action can we shape policies, business practices, and educational models that place human welfare at the center of our technological progress, empowering students with crucial AI competencies while nurturing their growth as reflective, socially aware, and ethically engaged individuals (Chan and Hu, 2023; Perkins, 2023).