A red University of Tampa event flyer titled “Beyond the Chatbot: How AI Is Becoming Goal‑Driven,” featuring the event date ( April 9, 2026 at 9:00 AM ) , speaker information, a summary of the session, and the listed location: ADLC, Technology Building, Room 155. Banner for Beyond the Chatbot: How AI Is Becoming Goal-Driven

Beyond the Chatbot: How AI Is Becoming Goal-Driven

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Staff Event

Thu, Apr 9, 2026

9 AM – 9:50 AM EDT (GMT-4)

Private Location (sign in to display)

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Details

You've probably seen AI write essays or generate images. But what happens when it starts planning, using tools, and acting toward goals? In this interactive session, we'll move beyond the “chatbot” mindset and explore the rise of agentic AI, systems that don't just answer questions but attempt to accomplish tasks. The conversation is geared toward faculty, staff, and administrators across disciplines. Through live demos and real academic examples, we'll examine what these systems can do today, where they may be headed over the next year, and what that might mean for teaching, administration, and university life. We'll also talk through important questions around FERPA, data governance, and responsible use. Expect clarity, practical examples, and discussion, not hype.

Speakers

Jean Gourd's profile photo

Jean Gourd

Chair/Professor, Computer Science

Dr. Jean Gourd joined UTampa in 2020 and is a Professor of Computer Science and the founding Chair of the department. His teaching and research emphasize project-based learning, computational thinking, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. He helped design the department's home on the sixth floor of the Jenkins Technology Building (TECH), including a Makerspace that gives students space and tools to prototype, build, and test ideas tied directly to their coursework.

He is particularly interested in helping students engage AI as a tool for learning rather than a shortcut. And yes, in some of his courses, its use is intentional and thoughtfully integrated.

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