The Edge for August 2024
We asked New Jersey Chamber of Commerce members to share with us how they use artificial intelligence apps, such as ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot, at work. They said AI helps their organizations with creativity, collaboration, and communications. It helps them draft emails and documents. And it helps them summarize long reports, meetings and articles. One user from a university said they use an AI program to help identify AI-generated content. Read the full article below.
The Goal Is To Use AI as a Catalyst for Creativity
If I'm stuck on a problem or need to rethink something, I open ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini. After providing some essential context and instructions, I have a back-and-forth with the program. Sometimes, I use ChatGPT Voice or Pi. This allows me to speak directly to the chatbot on my phone, without typing anything out. When brainstorming with AI, I focus less on the AI’s output and more on the ideas that emerge as I type or speak. The goal is to use AI as a catalyst for my own creativity.
– Jason Gulya, PhD, Professor, English and Applied Media, Berkeley College
It Saves Time and Spurs Creativity
ChatGPT is a welcome tool in my professional life, especially when I am staring at a blank screen trying to write an email; develop an agenda; or discover fun swag ideas for student career fairs. ChatGPT produces content that I can edit and tailor to an audience. It has saved me time and spurred my creativity.
– Susan Dyer, Membership Development Director, New Jersey Society of CPAs (NJCPA)
A Game Changer for Collaboration
We've integrated Microsoft Copilot to enhance productivity, especially with information sharing. Previously, virtual meetings required manual note-taking to track action items, or to update absent team members. Now, Copilot summarizes key points in a meeting, and ensures everyone is in-the-know and ready to contribute – whether they were there or not. Copilot streamlines workflows and maximizes our time. It’s a game changer for collaboration.
– Gurjit Singh, Chief Information Officer, Prager Metis CPAs
A Great Research Assistant
I use Microsoft Copilot daily. It's a great research assistant for summarizing long articles or getting up to speed on a new topic. It provides references, so it's easy to check its accuracy and validity. I also use Copilot for Microsoft 365 multiple times a week to start drafts of documents, presentations, and emails. While it's not yet good at data analysis or insights, it helps to get tasks started. Both tools are huge time savers.
– Jen Clark, Director - Advisory, Technical Enablement, EisnerAmper
AI Helps Improve Decision-Making, Foster Innovation, and Enhance Communications
AI applications, like ChatGPT, Claude, and Google Gemini, play vital roles in my daily workflow. They assist in data analysis, automating routine tasks, and generating insights that inform strategic decisions. AI helps increase efficiency, improve decision-making, foster innovation, and enhance communications.
– Justin R. Lahullier, Chief Information Officer and Vice President Information Services, Delta Dental of New Jersey and Connecticut
We Use AI To Detect AI-Generated Content
Thomas Edison State University is enthusiastically working to embrace AI to revolutionize student support, both in the classroom and for the overall student experience. By utilizing tools like CopyLeaks, the university not only detects AI-generated content in assignments, but also educates students on maintaining academic integrity and improving their writing. The upcoming launch of our AI chatbot will enhance student experiences by delivering real-time, tailored information.
– Matthew Cooper, Associate Vice President of Organizational Learning & Chief Technology Officer, Thomas Edison State University
AI Can Transform Operations
Solix uses AI to transform operations, automate the review of documents, and improve the overall level of customer service provided by our call center agents. AI-driven multilingual translation services support seamless communications even with hyperlocal dialects. AI has also been integrated into our cybersecurity framework for threat detection and investigation. Solix’s AI capabilities are grounded in policies and controls to ensure the ethical use of AI, focusing on data security and privacy.
– Eric D. Seguin, President & CEO, Solix, Inc.
It Frees Up Our Attorneys To Focus on Complex Tasks and Analysis
Our firm has trialed multiple generative artificial intelligence platforms and has begun using certain tools in our practice. The intention is for our attorneys to make use of AI for tasks such as legal research, factual analysis, summarizing documents, and even drafting - although independent judgment must be used, like with any tool. The overarching hope is that application of these tools for more rudimentary work will free up attorneys to focus on complex tasks and analysis, delivering efficiencies for clients without meaningful disruption to our profession.
– Joshua S. Levy, Director, Business & Commercial Litigation, and General Counsel, Gibbons P.C.
Responses for this article were edited for space and clarity.
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Newsmakers
Hackensack Meridian Pascack Valley Medical Center appointed Thomas Bisignani as CFO. Bisignani most recently served as CFO at the Moses Taylor Foundation in Scranton, Pa.
Johnson & Johnson announced Aug. 20 it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire V-Wave Ltd., a privately held company that develops treatment options for heart failure. Under the terms of the deal, the New Brunswick-based pharmaceutical giant will purchase V-Wave for $600 million. The transaction also incudes the potential for additional milestone payments of up to approximately $1.1 billion. If approved, the acquisition is expected to close before the end of 2024.
Kenvue, the Johnson & Johnson spinoff that is the world’s largest pure-play consumer health company by revenue, announced that it has appointed Kathleen Pawlus and Kirk Perry as new independent directors.
Delta Dental of New Jersey announced that its 34th annual Golf Classic raised $133,000 for Special Olympics New Jersey. The event has netted more than $1.8 million over the past 30 years, making it possible for thousands of Special Olympics athletes to pursue their athletic dreams through year-round sports training and competition.
New Jersey Institute of Technology will rename its College of Science and Liberal Arts to the Jordan Hu College of Science and Liberal Arts in recognition of a historic gift from the alum. Hu, Class of 1989, is the founder and CEO of RiskVal Financial Solutions and a former member of the university’s Board of Trustees. The amount of the gift was not disclosed but university officials said his contribution marks the single largest philanthropic commitment ever made by a NJIT graduate to the school.
Under its Student Leaders program, Bank of America has placed a group of high school upperclassmen in paid, eight-week internships at local nonprofit organizations.
New Jersey Institute of Technology named Sandy Curko to serve as general counsel and vice president of legal affairs, effective Oct. 2. Curko brings over 25 years of extensive legal experience, having represented corporate entities and educational institutions throughout her career.
New Jersey Institute of Technology named William Brady to serve as the new vice president of human resources, effective Oct. 1. Brady brings two decades of HR experience and leadership. He previously served as chief human resources officer at both Boise State University and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Kelly Conaway has been promoted to managing director for CBRE‘s Greater Philadelphia region, which includes oversight for southern New Jersey, as well as downtown and suburban Philadelphia, Delaware, Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley and Central Pennsylvania. Conaway previously led the marketing department in the Northeast for nearly two decades.
Sills Cummis & Gross Member Thomas H. Prol has been elected to the American Bar Association (ABA) Board of Governors for a three-year term.
Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC is launching an alternative dispute resolution group, to be led by chairs Joseph Dickson, a former federal magistrate judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, and Nicholas Grieco, a member of the litigation group and an experienced mediator.
Stephanie Olivo, the longtime director of compliance at the N.J. Election Law Enforcement Commission, has joined McCarter & English, the law firm recently announced. Olivo, in her position at ELEC since 2015, will advise corporate clients on compliance.
Rowan University has named Matthew Sarkees the dean of the Rohrer College of Business. Sarkees, who comes to the school from Villanova, is a professor of marketing and a certified public accountant. He has held various management and marketing roles, including positions at Ernst & Young and IBM.
