Navigating the AI Revolution: Why Ethical Leadership Starts with Exceptional Teaching

June 13, 2025

Navigating the AI Revolution: Why Ethical Leadership Starts with Exceptional Teaching

The advent of Artificial Intelligence is unequivocally reshaping every facet of our professional and personal lives. From automating complex legal processes to revolutionizing patient diagnostics and optimizing business strategies, AI's transformative power is immense. Yet, this rapid integration brings with it a complex tapestry of ethical dilemmas and societal ramifications. For leaders navigating this pivotal moment, a purely technical understanding of AI is no longer sufficient; success hinges on a profound ethical mindset and the ability to implement AI with foresight and integrity.

At Baylor Extended Learning, we are dedicated to cultivating such leaders. Our "AI & Ethics: Navigating the Future" series is a testament to this commitment, led by a distinguished cohort of professors who are not only experts in their fields but are deeply invested in guiding professionals through the ethical complexities of the AI era.

The Power of Interdisciplinary Expertise: Our Faculty Leaders

What truly sets this series apart is the interdisciplinary wisdom brought by our faculty. They are not merely teaching theoretical concepts; they are actively shaping the discourse and practice within their respective fields:

  • Matt Cordon, Director of the Legal Writing Program & A. Royce Stout Chair of Law, Baylor Law School: Professor Cordon brings a critical legal lens to the series. He guides professionals through the evolving landscape of AI regulation, data privacy concerns, and the crucial implications of algorithmic bias in legal contexts. His insights are essential for understanding how to mitigate risk and ensure compliance while leveraging AI's capabilities in law practice.
  • Teresa Fair-Field, OTD, OTR, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy: In healthcare, the ethical stakes of AI are uniquely personal. Professor Fair-Field addresses how AI impacts patient safety, confidentiality, and equity in care delivery. She delves into the moral responsibilities of healthcare professionals in using AI for diagnostics, personalized treatment plans, and robotic assistance, emphasizing patient trust and the ethical considerations behind algorithms.
  • Yulia Sullivan, Associate Professor of Information Systems and Business Analytics, Hankamer School of Business: For business leaders, the ethical deployment of AI can be a significant competitive advantage. Professor Sullivan explores how to identify and address ethical challenges within corporate AI initiatives, promoting trustworthy AI systems, ensuring data governance, and fostering responsible AI design from conception to implementation. Her expertise helps organizations build AI solutions that are not only profitable but also fair and transparent.

Guiding Leaders Through Uncharted Territory

This collective expertise forms the bedrock of a program designed to help leaders navigate AI implementation with a keen consideration of its far-reaching ramifications—on individuals, on industries, and on society.

  • Understanding the Ramifications: Our professors illuminate the potential societal impacts of AI, from employment shifts and economic disruption to issues of fairness and equity. They empower leaders to anticipate unintended consequences and proactively develop strategies that maximize positive societal outcomes.
  • Considering the People: At the heart of AI ethics lies humanity. The courses delve into critical discussions around algorithmic bias, privacy violations, the erosion of human autonomy, and the importance of human-AI collaboration. Leaders learn how to build AI systems that are transparent, accountable, and designed with human well-being at the forefront.
  • Impact on Industries: Each faculty member brings a sector-specific focus, providing tailored insights into how AI ethics manifest in Law, Healthcare, and Business. However, they also emphasize the increasingly cross-functional nature of AI challenges, preparing leaders to engage in interdisciplinary discussions and build ethical solutions that resonate across an entire organization.

A Commitment to Purpose-Driven Leadership

At Baylor Extended Learning, our commitment to excellence extends beyond academic rigor. We believe in you – in your capacity to lead with integrity, to make difficult decisions thoughtfully, and to innovate responsibly. Our faculty are not just instructors; they are mentors dedicated to fostering a learning environment where values matter, and every student is seen as a future ethical leader.

This program embodies our institutional mission to equip individuals who are called to lead, equipped to succeed, and empowered to make a difference. By focusing on the ethical dimensions of AI, we ensure that our graduates are not only at the forefront of technological advancement but also at the vanguard of responsible leadership.

Are you ready to become a leader who can thoughtfully implement AI while considering its profound impact? Join us in exploring the critical intersection of AI and ethics.

Learn more about the "AI & Ethics: Navigating the Future" series and the distinguished faculty leading it: https://professionaleducation.web.baylor.edu/extended-learning/professional-development/ai-ethics-navigating-future