
AI in Education with Texas A&M Mays Business School Assistant Dean of AI, Arnold Castro
04/04/25 • 67 min
2 Listeners
Start Small, Think Big: Episode 0004 - Show Notes
Follow the SSTB Newsletter - https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7305986878653022210/
In this episode of Start Small, Think Big, we explore the transformative power of AI in education and business with special guest Arnold Castro, Assistant Dean of AI at Texas A&M’s Mays Business School. Arnold shares exciting insights about Texas A&M's groundbreaking initiatives designed to prepare students for an AI-driven workforce. Discover how embracing AI, improving data quality, and understanding emerging technologies like agentic AI can position educational institutions and businesses alike for future success.Dive into the conversation and learn why now is the time to adapt and thrive in an increasingly AI-focused world!
Summary
In this episode of the Start Small Think Big podcast, host Brad Groux and guests Robert Groux, Carrie Hundley, and Arnold Castro discuss the transformative role of AI in education and business. Arnold, the Assistant Dean of AI at Texas A&M's Mays Business School, shares insights on the initiatives being launched to prepare students for an AI-driven workforce. The conversation covers the importance of data, the concept of agentic AI, and the unique position of Texas A&M in leading AI education. The guests emphasize the need for businesses and educational institutions to embrace AI, train their workforce, and adapt to the changing landscape to remain competitive.
Keywords
AI, education, business, automation, data science, agentic AI, Texas A&M, Mays Business School, technology adoption, workforce development
Takeaways
- AI is transforming education and business processes.
- Texas A&M is leading in AI education initiatives.
- Data quality is crucial for effective AI implementation.
- Agentic AI represents a new frontier in automation.
- Training existing employees on AI is essential for success.
- The youth are eager to learn and adapt to AI technologies.
- Businesses must embrace change to stay competitive.
- Integrators will be key in the future workforce.
- AI can enhance productivity and efficiency in various roles.
- Collaboration between IT and business leaders is vital for AI adoption.
- Harnessing AI in Education and Business
- The Future of AI: Insights from Texas A&M
- "Don't be afraid of AI, embrace it."
- "AI can help you do more with less."
- "Embrace change, don't resist it."
Titles
- Harnessing AI in Education and Business
- The Future of AI: Insights from Texas A&M
Sound Bites
- "Don't be afraid of AI, embrace it."
- "AI can help you do more with less."
- "Embrace change, don't resist it."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests
00:52 Arnold Castro's Background and Role at Texas A&M
04:42 AI Initiatives and Competitions at Mays Business School
14:01 The Impact of AI on Education and Business
21:02 Understanding Agentic AI and Its Implications
26:08 Texas A&M's Unique Position in AI Education
28:28 Elevating Mesa Business School and A&M's Initiatives
35:37 Embracing AI in Education
39:23 The ROI of Automation and AI
49:20 Bridging the Gap: Leadership and Ground-Level Perspectives
01:00:34 Preparing the Next Generation for an AI-Driven Future
01:05:36 Reflections on the Conversation with Arnold
01:06:19 Looking Ahead: Future Collaborations and Events
01:06:45 Embracing AI: Insights from Arnold Castro
01:07:08 Closing Thoughts and Next Week's Topic
We build tools that save businesses time and money by helping them unlock their greatest potential and achieve growth through data, automation, and AI-powered solutions.
Start Small, Think Big: Episode 0004 - Show Notes
Follow the SSTB Newsletter - https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7305986878653022210/
In this episode of Start Small, Think Big, we explore the transformative power of AI in education and business with special guest Arnold Castro, Assistant Dean of AI at Texas A&M’s Mays Business School. Arnold shares exciting insights about Texas A&M's groundbreaking initiatives designed to prepare students for an AI-driven workforce. Discover how embracing AI, improving data quality, and understanding emerging technologies like agentic AI can position educational institutions and businesses alike for future success.Dive into the conversation and learn why now is the time to adapt and thrive in an increasingly AI-focused world!
Summary
In this episode of the Start Small Think Big podcast, host Brad Groux and guests Robert Groux, Carrie Hundley, and Arnold Castro discuss the transformative role of AI in education and business. Arnold, the Assistant Dean of AI at Texas A&M's Mays Business School, shares insights on the initiatives being launched to prepare students for an AI-driven workforce. The conversation covers the importance of data, the concept of agentic AI, and the unique position of Texas A&M in leading AI education. The guests emphasize the need for businesses and educational institutions to embrace AI, train their workforce, and adapt to the changing landscape to remain competitive.
Keywords
AI, education, business, automation, data science, agentic AI, Texas A&M, Mays Business School, technology adoption, workforce development
Takeaways
- AI is transforming education and business processes.
- Texas A&M is leading in AI education initiatives.
- Data quality is crucial for effective AI implementation.
- Agentic AI represents a new frontier in automation.
- Training existing employees on AI is essential for success.
- The youth are eager to learn and adapt to AI technologies.
- Businesses must embrace change to stay competitive.
- Integrators will be key in the future workforce.
- AI can enhance productivity and efficiency in various roles.
- Collaboration between IT and business leaders is vital for AI adoption.
- Harnessing AI in Education and Business
- The Future of AI: Insights from Texas A&M
- "Don't be afraid of AI, embrace it."
- "AI can help you do more with less."
- "Embrace change, don't resist it."
Titles
- Harnessing AI in Education and Business
- The Future of AI: Insights from Texas A&M
Sound Bites
- "Don't be afraid of AI, embrace it."
- "AI can help you do more with less."
- "Embrace change, don't resist it."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests
00:52 Arnold Castro's Background and Role at Texas A&M
04:42 AI Initiatives and Competitions at Mays Business School
14:01 The Impact of AI on Education and Business
21:02 Understanding Agentic AI and Its Implications
26:08 Texas A&M's Unique Position in AI Education
28:28 Elevating Mesa Business School and A&M's Initiatives
35:37 Embracing AI in Education
39:23 The ROI of Automation and AI
49:20 Bridging the Gap: Leadership and Ground-Level Perspectives
01:00:34 Preparing the Next Generation for an AI-Driven Future
01:05:36 Reflections on the Conversation with Arnold
01:06:19 Looking Ahead: Future Collaborations and Events
01:06:45 Embracing AI: Insights from Arnold Castro
01:07:08 Closing Thoughts and Next Week's Topic
We build tools that save businesses time and money by helping them unlock their greatest potential and achieve growth through data, automation, and AI-powered solutions.
Previous Episode

Practical AI Use Cases for Businesses
Start Small, Think Big: Episode 0003 - Show Notes
Follow the SSTB Newsletter - https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7305986878653022210/
Welcome to this edition of Start Small, Think Big, your essential companion on the journey to practical AI adoption. In Episode 0003, we're cutting through the buzz to explore real-world, practical AI use cases across industries such as construction management, manufacturing, and more. Our hosts highlight critical considerations in data privacy, security, and governance, while sharing actionable insights from the recent Microsoft AI Tour. Discover how starting small, fostering cross-departmental collaboration, and focusing on practical implementations can lead to meaningful results and help democratize technology.
Ready to unlock AI’s potential for your business? Let's dive in!
Keywords
AI, practical use cases, data privacy, Microsoft AI Tour, automation, construction management, manufacturing, safety, governance, collaboration
Summary
In this episode of the Start Small Think Big podcast, the hosts discuss practical AI use cases in business, emphasizing the importance of data privacy, security, and foundational steps for implementing AI solutions. They share insights from the Microsoft AI Tour, explore automation in various industries, and highlight the significance of cross-departmental collaboration. The conversation also touches on governance and security in AI, encouraging listeners to start small and scale their AI initiatives effectively.
Takeaways
- AI is a buzzword, but practical use cases are essential.
- Data privacy and security are critical concerns in AI.
- Microsoft's Copilot can significantly boost productivity.
- Starting small with AI can lead to larger implementations.
- Automation can save significant time in business processes.
- Effective data collection is crucial for AI success.
- AI can enhance safety measures in manufacturing.
- Cross-departmental collaboration is vital for AI projects.
- Governance should not hinder AI implementation.
- Democratizing technology allows smaller businesses to compete.
- Unlocking Practical AI Use Cases
- Navigating Data Privacy in AI
- "AI is everywhere, but how do we use it?"
- "Start small, measure, and scale it."
- "Democratizing technology is our goal."
Titles
- Unlocking Practical AI Use Cases
- Navigating Data Privacy in AI
Sound Bites
- "AI is everywhere, but how do we use it?"
- "Start small, measure, and scale it."
- "Democratizing technology is our goal."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Practical AI Use Cases
02:34 Data Privacy and Security Concerns
05:35 Microsoft AI Tour Insights
08:29 Understanding Agentic AI
11:22 Practical AI Implementations for Business
13:55 Real-World AI Use Case in Construction Management
20:52 The Importance of Accurate Data Collection
22:13 Automation and AI in Data Management
24:55 Streamlining Data Entry with AI Agents
26:11 Calculating ROI in Project Management
27:25 Identifying Pain Points in Technology Adoption
30:14 Cross-Departmental Collaboration for Effective Solutions
32:28 AI Applications in Health and Safety
36:09 Vision Learning in Manufacturing Processes
38:33 Proactive Safety Measures with AI
41:44 Understanding AI Model Training Costs
44:48 Governance and Security in AI Implementation
46:52 Building an MVP for AI Solutions
We build tools that save businesses time and money by helping them unlock their greatest potential and achieve growth through data, automation, and AI-powered solutions.
Next Episode

Automate to Innovate: Boost Efficiency and Data Quality Across Industries
Start Small, Think Big: Episode 0005 - Show Notes
Follow the SSTB Newsletter - https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7305986878653022210/
Summary
In this episode, the hosts discuss the critical role of automation in enhancing data quality and business efficiency. They explore the latest trends in robotic process automation, share industry-specific examples, and emphasize the importance of documenting processes for effective automation. The conversation highlights how businesses can leverage automation to streamline operations, improve productivity, and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Keywords
automation, dataquality, AI, businessprocesses, roboticprocessautomation, efficiency, technologytrends, industryexamples, documentation, predictivemaintenance, podcast, technology, n8n, llm, copilot, chatgpt, gemini, firebasestudio, azure
Takeaways
- Automation is essential for improving data quality and business efficiency.
- Robotic process automation is experiencing significant growth, projected to reach 40 billion.
- Standardization through automation ensures consistency in processes.
- Documenting processes is a foundational step for effective automation.
- AI can enhance automation but is ineffective without clean data and optimized processes.
- Small businesses have a unique advantage in implementing automation quickly.
- Automation can free up time for employees to focus on higher-value tasks.
- Industry-specific automation examples demonstrate the versatility of automation solutions.
- The future of work will increasingly rely on automation and AI technologies.
- Businesses must adapt to the changing landscape or risk falling behind.
Titles
- Unlocking the Power of Automation
- The Future of Data Quality and AI
Sound Bites
- "The future of automation is here."
- "Standardization is key in automation."
- "Documenting processes is foundational."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Automation and Its Impact
08:40 Latest Trends in Automation and AI
16:22 Real-Life Applications of Automation
25:10 Industry-Specific Automation Examples
30:31 Industry-Specific Software Solutions
32:06 The Importance of Data in Automation
33:30 Documenting Business Processes
34:21 The Future of Automation and AI
35:50 Consistency, Accuracy, and Reliability in Automation
37:48 Knowledge Transfer and Documentation Challenges
42:50 Healthcare Automation Opportunities
49:18 Getting Started with Process Automation
We build tools that save businesses time and money by helping them unlock their greatest potential and achieve growth through data, automation, and AI-powered solutions.
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