Skilling, Upskilling, and Reskilling in the Age of AI
Please register for the symposium by Thursday, April 16.

You're invited to the College of Lifetime Learning spring symposium, Skilling, Upskilling, and Reskilling in the Age of AI. This event brings together educators, researchers, and industry partners to explore how AI is transforming the skills required across a lifetime of learning.

The program will not only examine emerging trends but also provide practical strategies and demonstrations that demonstrate how AI can advance continuous learning and workforce readiness at scale. Attendees will engage with new insights, collaborative opportunities, and forward‑looking conversations focused on enabling learners of all ages to adapt and thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

Join us on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at the Global Learning Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Please register by Thursday, April 16. You'll find the most up-to-date program information below.

Keynote Speaker

Magdy Karam
Chief Learning Officer, Microsoft Americas

Passionate about growth and development, Magdy is recognized by peers for inspiring, motivating, and empowering employees to realize their full potential. A versatile and influential leader, Magdy sees his role not only as serving Microsoft staff but also as enabling the entire Tech ecosystem, represented by Microsoft’s Customers and Partners, to attract, upskill, and retain their IT staff during this highly volatile digital transformation journey. Magdy’s goal is to build a culture of curiosity and continuous learning within and beyond Microsoft and to encourage employees to advance their careers. He’s currently focused on partnering with key organizations to bring AI and technology skilling to underserved communities in the US and Canada.

Magdy Karam

PROGRAM

Thursday, April 23, 2026

(Subject to Change)

8:30 - 9 a.m. | Registration and Breakfast
 
8:50 a.m. - 9 a.m. | Welcome Remarks

Dean William Gaudelli, College of Lifetime Learning

9 - 9:45 a.m. | Keynote Becoming Frontier

Learn how Microsoft is leveraging AI to transform workforce readiness and the role of leadership in championing this transformation.
Magdy Karam, Chief Learning Officer, Microsoft Americas

9:45 - 10:30 a.m. | Panel - Skilling, Upskilling, Reskilling, in the Age of AI

Moderator: Dean William Gaudelli, College of Lifetime Learning, Georgia Tech
Panelists:

  • Erin Izen, Executive Director, The Home Depot Foundation 
  • Magdy Karam, Chief learning Officer, Microsoft Americas
10:30 - 10: 50 a.m. | Presentation - A4L: A Data Architecture for AI-Augmented Learning

The session will discuss how an AI‑ALOE‑developed data architecture enables researchers and educators to analyze learner interactions with AI systems and link them to learning outcomes.

10:50 - 11 a.m. | Break (Refreshments available to attendees.)
 
11 a.m. - 11:45 p.m. | Panel - State of AI @ Georgia Tech

This panel will explore the Institute's current and emerging state of AI across learning, infrastructure, and outreach. 

Moderator: Professor Stephen Harmon, College of Lifetime Learning

11:45 - 11:50 a.m. | 2025 Bill Kent Family Foundation (BFFK) AI in Higher Education Faculty Fellows Introduction

Eric Sembrat, College of Lifetime Learning, Georgia Tech

11:50 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Lightning Talks - Georgia Tech 2025 BKFF AI in Higher Education Faculty Fellows
  • AI-Enabled Design Ideation and Robotic Fabrication, Patrick Danahy, College of Design
  • Advancing Personalized Engineering Education, Professor Ying Zhang, College of Engineering
  • Integrating AI into Scientific Writing and Physics Education, Professor Flavio Fenton, College of Sciences
  • TokenSmith: A Citable, Local‑First AI Tutor for Databases, Joy Arulraj, College of Computing
12:30 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. | 2025 BFKK AI in Higher Education Faculty Fellows Award Presentation

Lesley A. Baradel, BKFF representative

12:45 p.m. | Closing Remarks

Professor Stephen Harmon, College of Lifetime Learning, Georgia Tech