Universal Technical Institute

Dr. Toland has served over nine years as the Director of Education for Universal Technical Institute Houston Campus. In his role, he is responsible for directing the academic vision of the campus and ensuring that it maintains compliance with our accrediting agencies.

Additionally, Dr. Toland has served as an Associate Faculty Member with the University of Phoenix for over twenty years, serving in the College of Business and IT.

Prior to joining UTI, Dr. Toland served as Campus President of DeVry University in Houston and the Art Institute of Ft Lauderdale, as well as in various leadership roles at AT&T for 31 years.

Dr. Toland earned a Doctor of Management in organizational leadership, a Master of Arts in organizational management and a Master of Business Administration. He is also a 4-year veteran of the U.S. Navy.

AI And Disruptive Technology In Education And Business

Baimas-George, Demartines and Vrochides (2024) stated, “Disruptive technology. The term provokes an unconscious sense of negativity and division because the word “disruptive” is often used to describe that which is unruly or troublesome. And yet, here we lay it together with technology and create a phrase that encapsulates,” However, in recent years, we have seen an explosion of disruptive technology in education and business. This is what everyone calls artificial intelligence (AI). We think this is all new; however, according to Nguyen (2023), the first AI program was written in 1955. Nguyen continues to state that since 2022, we have seen AI tools such as ChtGPT and Dall-E explode into popularity and catch the public’s attention.

When we think about disruptive technology and its impact on society, we are reminded of the printing press, which dates back to the 15th century. The steam engine, which dates back to the 18th century, powered the Industrial Revolution, allowing manufacturing to use mass production. As we approached the 20th century, we had the introduction of the computer, then finally, the internet in the mid-1990s and Smartphones, starting with the iPhone in 2007. When Artificial Intelligence (AI) was introduced, this was a major disruption in Education and Business technology.

Why does disruptive technology matter? Disruptive technologies often lower market entry barriers, making previously expensive or inaccessible products available to a larger audience. They can democratize access to goods, services, and information, leading to new industries and changing society's functions. However, these technologies also create challenges like job displacement, regulatory hurdles, and ethical concerns. In summary, disruptive technology has driven major societal shifts and will continue to shape our world.

AI As A Disruptor In Education

AI enables personalized learning by adjusting content to suit individual learning styles and needs. Pane et al. (2017) highlight how AI-powered adaptive learning technologies can improve student performance by offering tailored content based on assessments. These systems continuously analyze student data and provide targeted resources to enhance learning outcomes.

As AI Technologies Continue To Evolve, Their Impact On These Sectors Will Only Deepen, Creating Opportunities For New Educational Models And Business Strategies 

Virtual AI tutors provide students with instant help and support, potentially reducing the achievement gap. Baker et al. (2019) discuss AI-driven tutoring systems that provide real-time feedback, enhancing the learning experience. AI can be used to create dynamic and customized learning materials. Zawacki-Richter et al. (2019) explore AI's role in developing adaptive content for online education platforms, improving learning outcomes.

AI As A Disruptor In Business

AI is revolutionizing business by enhancing efficiency, decisionmaking, and customer experiences. AI automates repetitive tasks, allowing employees to focus on creative and strategic work. Chui et al. (2018) highlight AI's role in automating data entry, customer service, and inventory management processes, improving efficiency and reducing costs. AI can process and analyze large datasets, which is revolutionizing business decision-making. Davenport et al. (2020) explain that businesses leverage AI to extract valuable insights from big data, enabling faster and more informed decisions.

In addition, AI-powered predictive analytics anticipate market trends and customer behavior. Sheng et al. (2019) illustrate how AI tools help businesses forecast customer needs, informing marketing, sales, and inventory strategies. This goes with AI enhancing customer experience by personalizing interactions and predicting needs. Huang and Rust (2021) argue that AI enables companies to improve service quality through chatbots, virtual assistants, and AIdriven interactions that increase customer satisfaction.

In summary, AI is poised to dramatically transform education and business by improving personalized learning experiences, automating business processes, enhancing data analysis, and fostering innovation. As AI technologies evolve, their impact on these sectors will only deepen, creating opportunities for new educational models and business strategies.