NATCHITOCHES, La., March 21, 2025 — According to neurosurgeon, spine specialist, and researcher Dr. Neilank Jha, artificial intelligence operates at a speed of 120 million times faster than the human brain. However, AI still necessitates human monitoring. He suggests that the optimal strategy involves a collaborative approach between humans and AI in decision-making.

Jha, an expert in behavioral economics, was among the speakers at the “Leadership in the Age of AI” forum held at Northwestern State University on March 19. Other speakers included NSU alumni Monty Chicola, a software developer and entrepreneur, and Dr. Julian Bailes, a neurosurgeon specializing in brain injuries. They shared their perspectives on the future implications of AI and its impact on how people live, work, and make choices.

Chicola stated that the capabilities of AI are astonishing and emphasized that AI is here to stay.

Chicola, the founder of Real Vision Software, is currently teaching an AI programming course at NSU in partnership with IBM. He emphasized the significance of developing AI software within the United States due to its stable political and economic environment, especially considering AI’s growing applications in various aspects of modern life, including commerce, communications, medicine, athletics, and entertainment.

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Greg Handel, who led the panel discussion, stated that NSU is well-positioned for leadership, research, and innovation and will integrate AI into its academic programs and research initiatives.

The forum served as a tribute to the late philanthropist Lola Walker Dunahoe with the announcement that the event would mark the beginning of the annual Dunahoe Lecture Series. The Dunahoe family recently established the Lola Walker Dunahoe Endowed Chair in Interdisciplinary Studies, with NSU appointing Jha as the chair’s Distinguished Professor in Leadership and Neuroeconomics.

Natchitoches native Bailes discussed the utilization of AI in neurosurgery and its future implications. He currently utilizes advanced GPS technology for surgical navigation, imaging, and ultrasound. As a nationally recognized expert on concussions, Bailes presented data on brain injuries related to contact sports and explained how AI technology can be used to examine a patient’s brain, which is currently only possible through autopsy, to generate a living diagnosis. AI can expedite the process of reading images, analyzing large data sets, and coordinating care, ultimately saving time and lives.

Bailes stated that this illustrates the current and increasing importance of AI.

Jha, who also studies the brain and spine, acknowledged Bailes as a key mentor and discussed how AI can aid in the treatment of brain cancer. He mentioned the development of a pump that can be implanted directly into a tumor, bypassing the blood-brain barrier and treating the tumor without affecting the rest of the body. Adding a chip to the pump would allow doctors to monitor data, detect potential risks, and make well-informed assessments.

Jha also discussed how AI can be applied to solve challenges in business, industry, and municipal operations by processing large amounts of data to optimize decision-making, leading to more efficient workflows, enhanced data security, and improved customer experiences.

As NSU’s new Distinguished Professor in Leadership and Neuroeconomics, Jha intends to collaborate with faculty in the School of Business to establish a consulting group that will address challenges faced by businesses and industries in Natchitoches and the northwest Louisiana region.

Jha noted that AI cannot replace human experience and judgment and that ethical considerations must be taken into account.

The forum was part of university efforts to incorporate AI education into its curriculum, which includes creating AI-driven programming and interdisciplinary leadership courses. The forum and the Lola Walker Dunahoe Endowed Chair are designed to attract talented individuals to interdisciplinary studies.

Leah Jackson ()
Director of Public Information and Media Relations
Northwestern State University
(318) 357-4553

SOURCE Northwestern State University

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