KEY TAKEAWAYS: Southeastern will host the Artificial Intelligence Launchpad on Aug. 4 in Hammond. Workshop will provide hands-on faculty coaching to help businesses build custom AI solutions. Program is designed for businesses of all sizes, regardless of AI experience. Registration costs $50 p er person or $500 for a reserved table of eight.   Southeastern Louisiana University will host a daylong workshop next month aimed at helping business owners develop and implement artificial intelligence tools tailored to their operations. The Artificial Intelligence Launchpad, sponsored by Louisiana Economic Development, is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 4 in the Student Union Ballroom on Southeastern’s Hammond campus. The workshop will feature faculty-led instruction and hands-on coaching focused on developing agentic AI solutions for businesses. According to the university, the program is designed for companies that want to adopt AI technologies, such as custom agents and automated workflows, but lack the internal resources or expertise to build those systems. Organizers said businesses of all sizes are encouraged to participate. Daniel McCarthy, Southeastern’s dean of research and innovation, said the workshop will combine instructional sessions with practical exercises that allow participants to begin creating AI solutions for their own organizations. “This is a very active and hands-on workshop. After presentations about ways in which you can implement AI solutions, the afternoon will be spent with attendees working directly with our faculty to identify opportunities and build their own AI solutions,” McCarthy said. “We also want organizations to learn how to adopt AI in a safe, secure, and ethical manner while creating real business value.” The university said the workshop is open to participants with all levels of AI experience. Attendees will be grouped according to their knowledge and familiarity with AI so faculty can tailor instruction to each group. Registration costs $50 per person or $500 for a reserved table of eight. ...read more read less