At a recent Public Relations Student Society of America event at George Mason University, students had the opportunity to engage in a dynamic discussion with Dr. Star Muir, Neha Bandaru, and Dr. Amanda Bryan on the evolving role of artificial intelligence across communications, academia, and industry.
Dr. Muir is a GMU Associate Professor in the Department of Communication; Dr. Bryan is an GMU English professor at GMU who is work on an AI project; and Bandaru is a third-year student at GMU, majoring in Management Information Systems and a Microsoft Excel Ambassador.
One major focus was Microsoft Copilot, an AI assistant designed to enhance productivity across Microsoft tools. From transforming Excel data into visualizations and live dashboards to automatically generating presentations and written content, Copilot demonstrates how AI can automate repetitive tasks, improve accuracy, and make complex data more accessible. With features like Object Linking and Embedding (OLE), users can seamlessly connect information across Microsoft platforms — showing how AI is becoming integrated into everyday workflows.
The conversation also explored AI’s broader societal impact. Dr. Bryan shared insights from her research on AI in academic spaces, emphasizing both its opportunities and ethical challenges. She highlighted the importance of transparency, critical thinking, and intentional AI use, encouraging educators to teach how and when to use AI responsibly rather than avoiding it altogether.
Offering a contrasting perspective, Dr. Star Muir discussed concerns about overreliance on AI and the potential loss of foundational learning experiences. By integrating AI directly into classroom discussions, he aims to help students critically evaluate these tools, thus reminding us that AI should be approached thoughtfully, not blindly trusted.
The event also connected to George Mason’s broader leadership in AI innovation, including efforts to create secure environments that protect institutional data while enabling responsible experimentation with emerging technologies.
Events like this highlight how PR professionals, educators, and students are actively shaping conversations around AI not just as a tool, but as a transformative force influencing communication, ethics, and society.
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