AMES, Iowa – Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how organizations operate and make decisions. Iowa State University alumnus Tom Hall will explore those changes during a public lecture, “How AI Is Changing Business: Lessons from Startups, Manufacturing and Defense,” at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28, in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union.

AI’s greatest value is not replacing workers, according to Hall. 

Hall is now director of defense at Jabil, one of the world's largest manufacturing solutions providers, where he focuses on emerging technologies and next-generation defense products. Prior to his current role, Hall served as Jabil’s director of AI and previously worked with startups before leading applied AI initiatives at Cisco and helping build the program management organization at Veritas.

“As the director of AI, I didn’t replace a single employee,” he said. “Instead, we used AI to reduce up to 80% of time-consuming tasks in some cases, freeing up time and money for issues that matter most.”

A former U.S. Army Ranger, Hall will discuss how AI is transforming defense and aerospace industries, from improving data governance and decision-making to accelerating innovation and supply-chain processes. Drawing on his experience leading AI programs, he’ll share insights into how emerging technologies are reshaping both the battlefield and the industries that support it.

For example, Hall said a backlog of about 18,000 planes are waiting to be built in the U.S. due to supply-chain and manufacturing challenges.

“With AI, we can rapidly speed up operations. We have decades of historical information on lead times and materials costs, which gives us options to ramp up production and enhance operational efficiencies,” he said. 

Hall believes students entering today’s workforce should view AI as a tool for adaptation and growth rather than a threat to future careers.

“It’s a dynamic work environment,” he said. “You have to be prepared for shifts in what you’re working on, be willing to keep learning and do your best. Resiliency is incredibly important.”

A 2015 Iowa State political science graduate, Hall was also a member of the Cyclones football team. The Waverly native currently serves as an adjunct professor at the University of South Florida, earned a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and a doctorate from South Florida.

During his campus visit, Hall will meet with business and entrepreneurship students, faculty and ROTC members. He said Iowa State’s combination of hands-on student experiences, interdisciplinary collaboration and strong faculty expertise makes it especially relevant to industries navigating rapid technological change.

“Iowa State has an exceptional student and faculty base that’s highly applicable to my industry,” Hall said.

Audience members will have an opportunity to ask questions following the presentation.

The event, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by the Ivy College of Business and the ISU Committee on Lectures (funded by Student Government). A recording of the lecture will be available on the lecture program website approximately two business days after the event and will remain accessible for three weeks.