When the University of Baltimore celebrated its 100th anniversary this past November, the Centennial Grand Celebration wasn't just a look back, but a launchpad. Amidst the live music, alumni reunions, and shared memories, the Center for AI Learning and Community-Engaged Innovation (CAILI) partnered with BoodleBox's Zach Kinzler to capture unscripted conversations about the future of innovation at UBalt.
The result? Two special episodes of The Buzz that explore a question on everyone's mind: How will generative AI shape the next century of "Knowledge That Works"?
The celebration highlighted a range of perspectives, including student Sabrina Pereira’s journey from AI skeptic to strategic user. Once she saw AI's practical applications in her field and her studies, her perspective completely changed, illustrating the transformative power of having the right tools at the right time. This vision is shared by President Kurt Schmoke, who emphasized UBalt's commitment to "educate students for the jobs of tomorrow, not yesterday," positioning the university as a leader in preparing students for an evolving workforce.
That forward-thinking leadership resonates with Howard County Executive Dr. Calvin Ball, a UBalt alum who highlighted the university's unique ability to "bridge theory and practice," ensuring students make tangible real-world impact. This connection between classroom learning and community leadership has been UBalt's hallmark for a century, driven by a mission to make education accessible. Student Rebekah Opher spoke passionately about this core mission, particularly for first-generation students, reflecting UBalt's commitment to creating inclusive environments where everyone can thrive.
Supporting this mission requires robust infrastructure. CAILI’s director Dr. Jessica A. Stansbury has been instrumental in integrating tools like BoodleBox into the classroom, combining pedagogical best practices with cutting-edge technology to ensure students understand the "why" before they leverage the "how." And innovation isn't just digital. David Thaler shared a story about his wife's transformative experience at UBalt, which inspired the creation of the Carolyn Thaler Professorship in Legal Ethics, an investment in the kind of forward-thinking scholarship that will shape the next hundred years.
Across these conversations, one insight emerged: UBalt is a "hidden gem" stepping into the spotlight as a leader in responsible innovation. Our urban location, non-traditional student body, and commitment to access make us uniquely positioned to model how AI can amplify human creativity, judgment, and impact—not replace it.
The Centennial was a milestone, but it was also a beginning. As we move into 2026, CAILI is committed to keeping these conversations alive, not just adopting new tools, but thoughtfully integrating them to serve our students and the broader Baltimore community. Whether you're a faculty member exploring AI integration in your curriculum, an alum seeing these shifts in your industry, or a student with a unique perspective on how generative AI is changing your academic journey, there's a seat for you at our table.
This blog post was developed with the assistance of BoodleBox (Model: Claude 4.5 Sonnet) on January 28, 2026. The AI was used to draft the blog post. The final text was reviewed and edited by CAILI staff to ensure brand alignment and accuracy.