Humans + Machines: The AI Reckoning and Future of Work
Humans + Machines: The AI Reckoning and Future of Work
Wednesday, January 28, 2026 | 4 – 7 p.m. | Walsh College
AI is transforming industries — but not the way many think.
Join Walsh College for an evening of networking, learning, and discussion focused on how AI is reshaping, not replacing, the workforce.
Dean Dave Schippers will moderate a panel of industry experts, alumni, and technology leaders as they explore how AI is becoming a powerful tool for professionals rather than a threat to them.
We’ll tackle common misconceptions and highlight how IT and business professionals can adapt, lead, and thrive in this new AI-driven era.
Schedule
4:00 – 5:00 PM | Pre-Networking
Meet employers, Walsh alumni, and students
5:00 – 6:00 PM | Panel Discussion
Moderated by Dean Dave Schippers, featuring expert voices discussing:
– AI’s real impact on today’s workforce
– Skills every professional should develop for an AI-enabled future
– How businesses are leveraging AI as a tool — not a replacement
– Why human creativity and judgment still lead the way
6:00 – 7:00 PM | Post-Networking
Continue the conversation and make new professional connections.
Who Should Attend
– Students and Alumni exploring careers in IT, business, or emerging tech
– Employers and Industry Professionals seeking to connect with talent
– Faculty and Staff interested in AI’s impact on business education
Hosted By
Walsh College Career Services & The Office of Academic Affairs
Moderated by Dean Dave Schippers, D.Sc.
Moderator
Dr. David A. Schippers, Sc.D., PI, CISSP
AI Thought Leader | Cybersecurity Strategist | Higher Education Executive
Dr. David A. Schippers is a transformative leader, cybersecurity expert, and international speaker operating at the high-stakes nexus of artificial intelligence, cyber risk, and global education reform. With over three decades of experience spanning digital forensics, enterprise-scale technology, and academic strategy, Dr. Schippers is recognized not merely as a voice in AI adoption—but as an architect of organizational transformation.
As Vice President and Chief Academic Officer at Walsh College, Dr. Schippers has led a bold realignment of institutional vision, embedding artificial intelligence and machine learning (AIML) into the very DNA of curriculum, research, and global academic partnership.
In 2024, Dr. Schippers launched a landmark initiative to infuse AI directly into doctoral research and cognitive development—redefining not only how students learn, but how institutions evolve. His writings on amplified intelligence challenge deeply held assumptions about human cognition, institutional rigor, and educational equity in a machine-augmented world.
Panelists
Derrick LoCicero is an IT Director at Lear Corporation, a leading global Tier 1 automotive supplier. With over 15 years of automotive industry experience across both OEM and supplier roles, he now leads teams responsible for homegrown manufacturing systems as well as enterprise analytics and AI-enabled solutions built on Lear’s instance of the Palantir Foundry platform. Derrick holds degrees in Information Technology from the University of Missouri and Missouri S&T, as well as an MBA from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.
Jeffery Brennan is a Vice President of IT at Lear Corporation, a global Tier 1 automotive supplier of seating and electronic systems for major OEMs. Jeff leads the IT support for Lear’s digital transformation which includes an enterprise deployment of Palantir Foundry and the Foundry’s AI Platform (AIP). His responsibilities also span Manufacturing Execution Systems and integration with plant floor automation. Over the past two years, Lear’s digital journey with AI has driven efficiencies across manufacturing, engineering, and administrative functions—providing practical, real-world experience in implementing AI solutions that augment human capabilities across global operations.
Dan Stewart is a Business Development Representative at Automation Alley, Michigan’s Digital Transformation Insight center, where he helps bridge technology, academia, and manufacturing. Dan works closely with more than 4,000 small and mid-sized manufacturers—as well as universities and global technology leaders—to accelerate digital transformation across the state. His role includes cultivating strategic partnerships, supporting academic engagement, and driving adoption of advanced technologies such as AI, additive manufacturing, cybersecurity, digital twins, and smart factory solutions.
Mohammad Aquib is an IT Cyber Analyst at Siemens Digital Industries Software, specializing in incident response and security engineering across cloud and on-prem environments. With over five years of cybersecurity experience, he leads investigations, builds detection capabilities, and drives remediation strategies to strengthen enterprise resilience. His current focus explores the intersection of AI and security, including LLM risks, agentic AI behavior, and secure automation. Mohammad is pursuing an MSITL at Walsh College, advancing his skills in technology leadership and strategic decision-making in an AI-driven world.
