Linfield University’s School of Business is launching the Artificial Intelligence and I (AIAI) Initiative, a yearlong series of events designed to help students, faculty and the greater McMinnville community explore the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence. The following events are free and open to the public.
The first keynote event is from 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17 in T.J. Day 222. Linfield alumnus Marcia Harris ’99 delivers a talk titled “AI in Business and Beyond.” In her current role, Harris leads efforts to operationalize AI principles and drives cross-organizational strategies for the responsible development and use of AI. Over her 15-year career, she has helped global companies adopt ethical AI practices across multiple industries. She graduated from Linfield with a degree in anthropology and credits her hands-on research and fieldwork at Linfield with helping shape her collaborative, innovative approach to technology today.
A second lecture, held Feb. 18, 2026, will be presented by Patrick Dempsey, EdD, of Loyola University Maryland. Dempsey’s presentation “The Future of AI and Education” discusses how AI is transforming education, from personalized learning to AI-driven administrative tools.
The McMinnville-area community is also invited to a monthly AI-themed book club. Hosted by Linfield’s Nicholson Library, meetings are from 12-1 p.m. on the second Friday of the month in the Austin Reading Room. Participants will discuss influential AI research papers and books in a collaborative setting. The fall semester book is “Rewiring Your Mind for AI” by David Wood, and the spring semester book is “Co-Intelligence” by Ethan Mollick.
“Artificial intelligence is transforming every industry. We want to empower students and the community to not just understand it, but actively shape the future,” said Chris Dahlvig, associate professor of business “As Ethan Mollick notes in ‘Co-Intelligence,’ the most powerful ideas emerge when humans and AI collaborate — co-creating in ways that spark innovation none could achieve alone. This initiative is about collaboration, creativity and preparing everyone for the AI-driven world ahead.”
In addition to the public events, the AIAI Initiative has scheduled discussion groups, hands-on workshops and movie nights for members of the Linfield University community. Support for the AIAI initiative comes from the Elkinton Fund.
For a full schedule of events and details on the AIAI Initiative, visit linfield.edu/aiai.
