Spelman President on Federal Funding, AI Popularity

Spelman College President Dr. Ayanna Howard discusses the 158-year-old HBCU's mission amid federal funding rollbacks, the integration of AI and liberal arts, her robotics background, and the importance of preparing black women for an AI-driven workforce. She also predicts physical AI growth in logistics, manufacturing, and clinical settings. - Dr. Ayanna Howard is the new president of Spelman College, a historically black women’s liberal arts college. - She emphasizes blending STEM and AI tools with humanities to keep students competitive. - Federal funding cuts for student loans and university research are affecting Spelman, prompting more aggressive private fundraising. - AI is seen as an unstoppable force that must be incorporated into all disciplines. - Howard is a roboticist and believes physical AI will accelerate, especially in logistics, manufacturing, and healthcare. - She aims to leverage corporate connections to support Spelman’s mission and close funding gaps. - The conversation touches on bias in AI and the need for responsible development.