AI is here. Not coming. Not on the horizon. Here. But as Beth Turman told the crowd at the Texas State IEEE HKN Meeting, that doesn’t mean we all need to become machine learning engineers tomorrow. It does mean we need to learn how to think—and act—strategically.
Beth, VDURA’s Director of Sales and Business Development, isn’t just a tech leader—she’s a storyteller with a strong pulse on what it takes to thrive in industries that are constantly evolving. Her talk, “Relevancy in a World of AI (Regardless of Your Major),” served up advice that was equal parts tactical and personal.
Here are the biggest takeaways.
- AI isn’t replacing you—but someone using it well might
Beth opened with a simple truth: AI is a game changer. But it’s only as powerful as the person using it. “It enhances—it doesn’t replace,” she reminded the audience.
In an era where decisions are increasingly data-driven, the human element—judgment, strategy, interpretation—is more valuable than ever. Using AI isn’t just about being efficient; it’s about being intentional. What insights are you drawing? How are you applying them? Are you muting your biases and staying focused on what’s relevant?
She pointed to a CEO study featured in The AI-Driven Leader by Geoff Woods. It found that:
- 100% of CEOs believe AI is the future.
- 100% want to adopt it.
- Less than 5% actually have.
That gap? It’s opportunity—for students, professionals, and future leaders who are willing to step up, learn the tools, and think critically.
- Communication still matters. So does collaboration.
As futuristic as AI feels, the fundamentals haven’t changed. Beth emphasized that even in the most high-tech environments, communication and collaboration are non-negotiables.
Strategic thinking is what separates those who simply use tools from those who lead with them.
- Don’t let yourself disappear
Beth shifted gears to talk about something a lot of students—especially women—don’t always hear in technical conversations: visibility.
Referencing Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez, she broke down the real-world consequences of a world designed by and for men. Think office temperatures, car crash testing standards, even misdiagnosed heart attacks. These aren’t just oversights—they’re design flaws baked into systems because the data behind them is incomplete.
This same principle applies to AI. If we train our models on biased data, we get biased results. If we leave out perspectives, we build systems that exclude. Her message? “We need women in the room.” Diverse perspectives don’t just improve outcomes—they make the technology better.
- So what’s next?
Beth closed with a call to action: Don’t wait to be invited into the future of AI. Create your own path. Build your network. Use the tools. Think big.
And most importantly: Stay visible. Because being great at what you do only matters if people know you’re doing it.
Want to learn more about how Beth and the team at VDURA are powering the future of AI and HPC infrastructure? Contact us or follow along at vdura.com.
