LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business Announces 2026 AI in Action Symposium

BATON ROUGE – The LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business is pleased to announce the return of AI In Action, a symposium designed for forward-thinking executives, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers looking to leverage AI to achieve tangible business outcomes. This year’s event will be held Friday, March 20, at the LSU Student Union on the LSU A&M campus in Baton Rouge.

"As Louisiana's flagship business college, we are invested in supporting economic development by equipping the business community with the tools needed to thrive in a changing landscape." said T. Russell Crook, Dean of the LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business. "This symposium provides a platform for Louisiana businesses to move beyond the theory of AI and toward tangible results."

AI In Action will bring together leading voices at the heart of the AI revolution, including Louisiana business leaders, national AI experts, and LSU researchers, to explore how they have successfully navigated this evolving landscape, from scaling AI across large enterprises to establishing the ethical frameworks necessary to manage risk and deploy AI responsibly.

“Over the past year, the conversation has shifted from 'What is AI?' to 'How do we effectively use it?’” said Andrew Schwarz, professor in the LSU Stephenson Department of Entrepreneurship & Information Systems. “We built this year’s event around practical tools and frameworks that Louisiana businesses need to responsibly integrate AI into their operations, ensuring they are ready to compete with national players.”

Through moderated expert discussions and tailored breakout sessions, attendees will explore the real-world applications – and accompanying challenges – of AI in the modern business environment:

• Opening Session: A Year of Progress
  Twelve months in the world of AI can feel like a decade of innovation. This year's symposium kicks off by connecting the dots between the 2025's biggest breakthroughs and the practical realities they have created for 2026 and beyond.
• Breakout: AI for Startups
  We’ll take a candid look at the hard-fought lessons from the startup trenches, focusing on how to build lean, move fast, and leverage AI to outpace incumbents.
• Breakout: AI for the Enterprise
  Moving AI from a pilot project to a core business pillar is the ultimate hurdle. Learn how to build a strategic framework for scaling AI across global operations while also countering entrenchment and ensuring performance.
• Breakout: Scalable AI Solutions
  How do you prepare for a world that requires more computing power every day?[AM5] [CS6]  Go behind the scenes and see what it takes to develop the robust infrastructure required to support the next generation of AI demand.
• Breakout: Building Responsible AI
  Innovation without accountability is a liability. Dive into the principles of responsible AI, exploring how to embed transparency, fairness, and safety into business applications from day one.
• Closing Session: Hiring AI-Ready Talent
  Technology is evolving, but what about your team? Learn how to identify "AI-native" talent, bridge a widening skills gap, and cultivate a culture of continuous learning that ensures your workforce doesn't just survive the AI shift, but leads it.

 

Join the Conversation

Registration is now open on the LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business website – lsu.edu/business/ai-symposium. The cost to attend is $100, which includes full access to all symposium activities, parking, and a networking lunch.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available for businesses that want to highlight their commitment to AI and innovation. Organizations interested in sponsoring the AI Symposium may contact Chelsea Fontenot at cfontenot@lsufoundation.org. The sponsorship deadline is Monday, March 2.

 

About the LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business

Since its establishment in 1928, LSU’s E. J. Ourso College of Business has served as the flagship business college of Louisiana, playing an essential role in uplifting the economy of the state and the well-being of its citizens. Each year, the college graduates more than 1,000 exceptional students who are the business leaders and entrepreneurs of the future.

We are committed to delivering a superior academic and professional learning experience that prepares future business leaders for lifetime success. In support of the university and college’s mission, our dedicated faculty engage in cutting-edge, innovative research that directly and positively impacts the business community, both locally and abroad. The value of a business education from the Ourso College is readily seen in the success of our alumni and their continued support of the college throughout their professional careers.