The Boye & Company Digital Leaders group at Full Sail University

My sails are full after an amazing day at Full Sail University in Orlando with the Boye & Company Digital Leaders group, where we were treated to an amazing tour by the incomparable Kassidy Pierce, the school’s community engagement manager.

From the cavernous Drone Innovation Center to the state-of-the-art Cyber Range (sponsored by Amazon Web Services (AWS), IBM, and Cloud Range), we were given VIP treatment, taking us behind the scenes to explore how this campus prepares students for the high-tech jobs of tomorrow.

Program Director Sean Phalen gave us a comprehensive overview of the school’s focus and features, sharing how its homegrown LMS supports the needs of a hybrid remote learning model.

Inside the Cyber Range at Full Sail University

AI was, once again, the through line. But against this immersive backdrop, where physical and digital intersect, we colored outside the lines with some refreshing perspectives.

A few things that stood out for me:

✅ Carlos Alcala of iMedia inc explored the frontier of design and UX, where the interface is shifting to prompt windows. As lead creative at his agency (along with partner Joel Macaluso), he emphasized how usability continues to guide their vector, even as they embrace AI.

✅ Larry Weeks of Eurekaa.io probed the deeper question of how humans can remain at the helm versus just “in the loop,” drawing upon his own journey in developing a SaaS software platform that is immersed with AI capabilities.

✅ Peter Stringer tackled the digital advertising front, tapping his deep knowledge as a paid media and advertising consultant. He expanded on the evolution of AI-generated creative content and how brands are leveraging it as a force multiplier for categories like fashion.

✅ Stephanie Coyne of Amba shared how AI is starting to impact outcomes in assisted living facilities. From the challenges of churn to the regulatory realities of healthcare, she revealed how data, automation, and intelligence can help address the landslide of an aging population.

Inside Full Sail's fabrication lab - where a life-size Formula 1 chassis reminds you this campus builds more than software

✅ Lee Chojnacki of Tōquidity dove into the pervasive undercurrent of training and pattern recognition in artificial intelligence, and how humans and machines are evolving. As a self-proclaimed “AI Optimist,” he advocated for more AI collaboration versus its perception as just a tool.

✅ Ritesh Marwah of Concentrix offered some fantastic reflections on where AI is having an outsized impact on how we work, sharing his incredible success in building a global AI strategy around digital transformation, automation, and AI that began in India, led to the Philippines, and ultimately landed in the U.S.

Thanks to my partner in crime, Matthew McQueeny, for injecting solid insights on how communications and PR are being transformed in the wake of AI, and how agencies are adapting to this change. We’ll transmit more on the upcoming episode of the “Matt & Matt” show.

I love how this community always surprises me. We never stop learning. If you’re interested in joining a future meetup, get in touch with me on LinkedIn.