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The Edge for August 2024

An Exclusive Article for NJ ChamberEdge

This Month's ChamberEdge Contributors

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.

Jason GulyaThe 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

 

Susan DyerIt 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)

 

Gurjit SinghA 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

 

Jen ClarkA 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

 

Justin LahullierAI 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

 

Matt CooperWe 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

 

Eric SequinAI 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.

 

Joshua LevyIt 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

Will Morey, president and CEO Morey’s Piers, the family-owned amusement park in Wildwood, has been reappointed to the U.S. Department of Commerce Travel and Tourism Advisory Board for a third term.


Jeffrey Knight

As Jennifer Shimek transitions to a new leadership role at KPMG LLP, the company announced Jeffrey Knight will succeed her as office managing partner in Short Hills. Effective March 1, Knight will be responsible for the strategic direction and growth of KPMG’s practice in Essex County. The office boasts nearly 944 partners and professionals. Knight brings 25 years of experience at KPMG to the role.


Former New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Lee A. Solomon has joined Archer & Greiner's Business Litigation Group. Solomon has served in all three branches of government, as a member of the state Assembly, a cabinet member serving as president of the Board of Public Utilities, and in the judiciary.


Vicki Walia

Vicki Walia has been named chief people officer at Newark-based Prudential Financial, effective March 31. Walia will succeed Lucien Alziari, who will retire after serving as in the role for eight years. Currently, Walia leads human resources for the company’s U.S. businesses and PGIM, Prudential’s global asset management business.


The Bank of America Board of Directors appointed Maria Martinez as a director. Martinez formerly served as a senior executive at Cisco Systems. She has also held leadership positions at Salesforce Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Motorola Solutions and AT&T Bell Laboratories.


American Water, the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., announced that Denise Venuti Free, formerly senior director of communications and external affairs for New Jersey American Water, has been appointed vice president of external communications.


June Ann Garafano

Saint Peter’s Healthcare System named June-Ann Garafano its vice president and chief human resources officer. Prior to joining Saint Peter’s, Garafano served as ministry chief human resources officer for Trinity Health of New England’s physician enterprise medical group and St. Mary’s Hospital in Connecticut.


RWJBarnabas Health appointed Roshan Hussain to serve as its new chief data and analytics officer. Hussain previously served as chief data officer at the University of Kentucky HealthCare.


Thomas Edison State University named Matthew Cooper vice president for Integrated Technology and chief technology officer. Cooper previously served as chief technology officer and associate vice president of organizational learning at TESU.


Prager Metis, a global accounting and advisory firm with a heavy presence in New Jersey, announced that Joseph Rosoff was promoted to principal in the Tax Department and Matthew Iandolo was promoted to principal in the Private Wealth Services Department.


Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center earned an 'advanced comprehensive stroke program' certification, the hospital announced. The achievement, recognized by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, is the highest level of certification for hospitals that treat complex stroke cases.


Dr. Steven Stylianos, a nationally renowned pediatric surgeon, will join RWJBarnabas Health as system director for pediatric surgery and surgeon-in-chief at The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital in New Brunswick. Stylianos also will be a professor of surgery in the department of surgery and chief of the division of pediatric surgery at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.


Steven Menna has joined advisory and tax firm Withum, as a partner in its Financial Services Group. Menna will lead the firm’s national alternative investments expansion with a concentration on the southeast and southwest regions.


Delta Dental awarded a $100,000 grant to the Brookdale Community College Foundation that will provide scholarships, equipment and job placement support for students in the college’s dental assistant and dental radiology programs. It is one of the largest contributions the dental education program has ever received, Brookdale said.


Inspira Health announced that Julie Ellis is assuming the role of senior vice president and chief human resources officer. Ellis will succeed Anneliese McMenamin, who is retiring. Since joining Inspira Health in 2021 as vice president of human resources, Ellis has significantly enhanced the organization through focused employee recruitment and retention efforts.


Inspira Health appointed Ruth Bash to serve as senior vice president and chief experience officer. Bash will focus on patient and family engagement, workforce experience, quality improvements within clinical processes, and communication and advocacy for a high-quality patient experience.


JPMorgan Chase, in a continuing effort to increase home ownership across the state, announced it is making a $1.1 million investment to eight nonprofit organizations to help Increase and preserve the state’s affordable housing supply and support people on the path to homeownership. The investment is primarily targeted to Newark's Clinton Hill neighborhood.


Rizco, a woman-owned marketing agency in New Jersey, was named an honoree in the '2024 NJBIZ Empowering Women – Companies Leading the Way' awards program. The program celebrates over 40 New Jersey-based organizations promoting women’s empowerment and advancement through strategic and impactful initiatives.