John K. Thompson has spent nearly four decades helping organizations navigate their Artificial Intelligence (AI) journeys; now he's helping prepare the students who will lead companies forward in their AI journeys.

Organizations are not simply looking for people who understand AI, they're looking for leaders and individual contributors who know how to implement it practically, successfully, strategically, and most importantly, responsibly. As businesses move from experimenting with AI to integrating it into everyday operations, the demand for this new kind of leadership has never been greater.

That's why Grand Valley State University's (GVSU) College of Computing is investing in leaders like Thompson.

Thompson joins the College of Computing as a Faculty of Practice, bringing experience that few students get the opportunity to learn from firsthand. Throughout his career, he has led more than 150 AI implementations, advised Fortune 500 companies and global organizations on enterprise AI strategy, and authored five books that have helped business and technology leaders navigate an increasingly AI-driven world.

His appointment reflects more than the addition of an accomplished faculty member. It signals how GVSU is positioning itself for the future of computing; one where education, industry, and innovation increasingly connect.

Experience That Extends Beyond the Classroom

Thompson's career is defined by translating emerging technologies into measurable results.

Working with organizations across healthcare, manufacturing, finance, retail, government, and other sectors, he's helped leaders move beyond the excitement surrounding modern technologies and focus on something much more difficult: creating lasting organizational change.

Along the way, one lesson stays remarkably consistent. Technology alone does not determine whether an AI initiative succeeds. People do.

Working alongside executives, engineers, data scientists, and operational leaders around the world, Thompson, has seen, and sees firsthand how organizations realize the greatest value from AI is when leadership aligns, teams collaborate, and employees are empowered to embrace new ways of working.

"AI projects are complicated and sophisticated work that requires support, funding, and collaboration. All of which requires engaged executives, managers, and staff members. Aligning all these moving parts is challenging."

That perspective is exactly what students gain from learning alongside someone who has spent decades solving real-world AI challenges.

The AI Most People Never See

Public conversations about AI often begin and end with ChatGPT. Thompson hopes students and business leaders will think in much broader scope.

One of the driving forces behind his career, and the reason he has authored five books on artificial intelligence, analytics, and data strategy, is helping people understand what AI really is.

According to Thompson, artificial intelligence is not a single technology. It's an ecosystem of approaches that is evolving after more than 70 years in existence, from predictive and causal AI to today's generative and emerging physical AI systems.

Understanding that distinction changes the conversation. Organizations aren't simply adopting new software, they're adapting to entirely new ways of solving problems, making decisions, and creating value.

As Thompson puts it:

"People ask me, with fair regularity, 'Can we just wait out this AI thing?' AI is here to stay. It’s part of our lives now and will be forever."

Building an AI-Ready Workforce

For Thompson, education is where the next chapter of AI begins.

As a Faculty of Practice, he brings executive experience directly into the classroom, helping students understand not only how AI works, but how organizations adopt it, scale it, and use it to create measurable impact.

That perspective also extends beyond traditional degree programs. “John will play a critical role in expanding our AI Literacy initiative, launching our Chief AI Officer executive education program, broadening access to AI education for learners from every discipline, and helping organizations across Michigan develop responsible AI strategies that create lasting economic and societal impact," says Marouane Kessentini, Dean of GVSU's College of Computing.

Together, these initiatives represent a broader vision for the College of Computing through connecting classroom learning with industry needs while preparing both students and working professionals to lead in an AI-enabled economy.

A Vision for What's Next

For Thompson, preparing students isn't simply about teaching the latest technology.

It's about helping them understand how technology changes organizations, industries, and ultimately people's lives.

"If I can help our students understand AI and how it fits in a pragmatic way into the world of work," Thompson says, "I will have started a transformation of industries, communities, and more importantly, people's lives."

That vision aligns closely with where the College of Computing is heading.

"John is one of the most respected voices in applied artificial intelligence and enterprise AI strategy," says Kessentini. "His appointment significantly strengthens our ability to position Grand Valley as a national leader in AI education, executive development, and industry engagement.”

As artificial intelligence continues to transform the way the world works, GVSU is investing in something just as important as the technology itself: the people who will shape its future. Thompson's appointment reflects the College of Computing's commitment to preparing students, supporting industry, and creating meaningful partnerships that move AI from possibility to practice.