Greetings, IAIER Supporters,

What an extraordinary few weeks for IAIER!

We were proud to welcome OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to North Carolina Central University for an intimate fireside chat with students representing disciplines from across campus. The conversation gave students a rare opportunity to engage directly with one of the world’s leading technology executives, ask thoughtful questions, and hear his perspective on the future of artificial intelligence.

Just two days later, IAIER convened its second national summit with OpenAI Academy: HBCU Innovation Summit 2026: From AI Literacy to AI Leadership. The summit brought together students, educators, policymakers, and industry leaders for a dynamic day of learning, dialogue, and collaboration focused on preparing HBCUs and their communities to lead in an AI-powered future.

Our recent programming also included an interactive session with Superhuman exploring agentic AI and Superhuman Go, as well as a timely conversation with McGraw Hill on Responsible AI Adoption in Higher Education: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities. Across each experience, participants did more than listen—they contributed, experimented, and developed practical knowledge aligned with the skills today’s workforce increasingly demands.

I am also proud to introduce IAIER Undergraduates—or IAIER U—a new student organization established to extend IAIER’s mission and strengthen undergraduate engagement in artificial intelligence. You will learn more about its founding members and vision in this issue, but please know: they are ones to watch.

Although IAIER will not host additional public events during the remainder of September, the work continues. Students, faculty, staff, campus organizations, and external partners are actively using the Innovation Hub for learning, collaboration, meetings, and exploration. To reserve space or inquire about hosting an activity at IAIER, please contact our events coordinator, Sharnia Herbin.

As always, thank you for supporting our work to prepare the next generation of responsible and innovative AI leaders. We welcome opportunities to collaborate, build strategic partnerships, and advance this mission through philanthropic investment.

The momentum is real—and we are only getting started.

Warm Regards,

🎤 Dr. Grady Honored with Vanguard Award for Excellence in Academia

Dr. Siobahn Day Grady was honored by the Women Executives Circle with an inaugural Vanguard Award for Excellence in Academia, recognizing her leadership and impact across higher education and artificial intelligence. Presented at the North Carolina Executive Mansion, the Vanguard Awards celebrated an accomplished group of leaders helping shape the future of their respective fields. Dr. Grady was recognized alongside fellow honorees including Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt, IBM’s Phaedra Boinodiris, and Greg Boone, as well as leaders across technology, public service, business, and community impact.

🎤 Advancing AI Literacy Through the STEM Advisory Community

Dr. Grady serves on the national advisory board for Building AI Literacy for Inclusion in STEM, an initiative led by the National Girls Collaborative Project in partnership with Ingenia Learning and STEM Next Opportunity Fund, with support from the AMD Foundation. The initiative examines the current state of AI literacy across STEM learning environments and identifies opportunities, challenges, and resources needed to better prepare educators and young people to engage with AI and emerging technologies.

🎤 Adobe’s Generative AI Webinar

Dr. Grady joined Adobe’s Generation AI webinar, “Are Your Graduates Ready for the AI-Enabled Workforce?”, for a national conversation on how higher education can better prepare students for a rapidly changing workplace. The panel explored AI fluency, digital communication, applied learning, and the importance of giving students hands-on opportunities to build practical, career-ready skills. Dr. Grady shared NCCU and IAIER’s perspective on helping students confidently and thoughtfully apply emerging technologies across disciplines and future careers.

🎤 Dr. Grady Keynotes WSSU’s Inaugural RISE AI Summit

Dr. Grady returned to her alma mater, Winston-Salem State University, as the keynote speaker for the inaugural RISE AI Summit: Advancing Innovation and Human Possibility on September 10. Her keynote, “Rise with Intelligence: Who Will Shape the AI Future?”, challenged attendees to think beyond what AI can do and consider who will shape its future. Speaking to more than 300 attendees, Dr. Grady emphasized preparing students to engage with AI critically, ethically, creatively, and responsibly while ensuring they have opportunities to help shape the technologies transforming their future careers.

🔹 A Conversation on AI’s Future: Sam Altman Visits NCCU

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman visited North Carolina Central University on September 2 for a conversation with students focused on artificial intelligence, innovation and the future of technology. Altman encouraged students to stop waiting for permission, ask meaningful questions and begin building with the tools available to them.

Students also helped drive the conversation, raising questions about environmental concerns, access, leadership and mental well-being. The exchange created space to examine both the possibilities surrounding AI and the responsibility that comes with shaping its future.

🔹 From AI Literacy to AI Leadership

Nearly 300 attendees—including representatives from several HBCUs—gathered at NCCU as the 2026 HBCU Innovation Summit transformed the campus into a hub for learning, collaboration and hands-on exploration. Presented by OpenAI Academy and IAIER, the full-day experience examined how AI is already influencing education, careers, research, entrepreneurship and community life.

Participants moved from conversation to application through breakout sessions for faculty and staff and for older adults and community members. The day closed with a Codex Build Challenge that put ideas into action as teams created solutions for real-world needs. The ideas were flowing, the energy was undeniable—and the marathon continues.

🔹 Exploring AI-Powered Productivity with Superhuman

Superhuman brought an interactive learning experience to NCCU, exploring how AI agents are reshaping productivity, communication and decision-making. Through discussion, demonstrations and insights from Superhuman leaders, participants gained practical ideas for incorporating emerging AI tools into their everyday work.

🔹 McGraw Hill Brings AI-Ready Insights to NCCU

Faculty, staff, students and community members gathered at IAIER for an engaging look at how AI is shaping higher education and student success. The experience featured a hands-on introduction to McGraw Hill’s Sharpen platform and a virtual presentation from Kat Hemsing, giving attendees fresh insight into AI trends, personalized learning and the future of academic support.

🌟 Honoring Hispanic Heritage, Innovation and Impact

We’re excited to share that IAIER has engaged more than 1,800 people in 2026! From students and faculty to staff and community members, this milestone reflects the growing reach of our programs, events, partnerships, and campus engagement efforts throughout the year. With 1,809 participants and counting, we’re grateful to everyone who has learned, connected, collaborated, and explored the future of AI with us—and we’re looking forward to reaching even more people as the year continues.

EMERGING SCHOLARS & LEADERS

Meet IAIER U: Bringing the Undergraduate Voice to IAIER

We’re excited to introduce IAIER Undergrad, affectionately known as IAIER U, our new undergraduate student leadership team dedicated to bringing the student perspective and voice into all things IAIER. From sharing ideas and helping shape programming to connecting with students across campus, IAIER U will help ensure our work continues to reflect the interests, experiences, and needs of NCCU’s undergraduate community.

Be on the lookout for IAIER U on social media, around campus, and at upcoming IAIER events as they help us engage more students, build connections, and create an even stronger campus community around AI and emerging technology.

The calendar is filling up with new opportunities to explore AI, exchange ideas and build practical skills. See what’s coming next at IAIER.

AI Book Club: The Coming Wave

📅 Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 11 a.m.
📍 IAIER Building
👥 Students, faculty, staff and community members

Join the conversation as the AI Book Club explores Mustafa Suleyman’s The Coming Wave and the questions it raises about technology, power and our shared future.

👉🏻 Learn more here.

AI in Action: Faculty Quick Series

📅 Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 11 a.m.
💻 Virtual via Zoom
👥 NCCU Faculty Only

Join this focused virtual session exploring foundational AI concepts for teaching and learning.

👉🏻 Register here.

Microsoft | Working Smarter with AI

📅 Wednesday, October 14, 2026, 4:30pm
📍 IAIER Building
👥 NCCU Faculty & Staff Only

Explore practical ways AI can support everyday work during this interactive session with Microsoft. Attendees will learn about Microsoft Copilot, see real-world tools in action and discover new ways to work more efficiently.

👉🏻 Learn more here.

Curated events and opportunities we’re watching across the region.

🚀 Student Opportunity Spotlight: AI Command & Connect Challenge 2026-2027

Turn Your Ideas into Impact.

IAIER is excited to share an outstanding opportunity for students interested in innovation, entrepreneurship, research, and emerging technologies. The 2026-2027 AI Command & Connect Challenge invites students from across the nation to develop innovative solutions, collaborate with peers, and showcase their ideas on a national stage.

Participants will engage in a year-long experience designed to strengthen skills in research development, ideation, testing, branding, pitching, and presentation. Through monthly training sessions and collaborative brainstorming opportunities, students will receive guidance and support as they refine their concepts and prepare for competition.

The challenge will culminate on April 1-2, 2027, when student teams will present their ideas and compete alongside participants from colleges and universities across the country.

✅ Develop innovation and problem-solving skills
✅ Gain experience in research and project development
✅ Strengthen presentation and pitching abilities
✅ Collaborate with fellow student innovators
✅ Showcase your ideas on a national platform

Teams may consist of up to three students, and each team must complete the registration form in its entirety.

IAIER encourages NCCU students to take advantage of this exciting opportunity to explore new ideas, build valuable skills, and contribute innovative solutions to real-world challenges.

📅 Challenge Event: April 1-2, 2027
🔗 Register Today: https://tnstate.jotform.com/262565068408160

What We Do
Advance responsible AI education, research, and workforce readiness across NCCU.

How We Show Up
• Faculty research and seed grant support
• Student learning pathways and leadership development
• Campus and community engagement
• Strategic industry and institutional partnerships

What We’re Not
An IT help desk or one-off consulting service. IAIER focuses on scalable, university-wide impact.

Want a deeper look? View the full IAIER overview (PDF).