UMW Inaugural AI Expert-in-Residence Shares Insight on Technology’s ‘Tremendous’ Impact

April 1, 2026 - 22:35

The inaugural AI Expert-in-Residence at the University of Mary Washington is emphasizing the unprecedented speed at which artificial intelligence is reshaping society. Sean O’Brien, a 2009 alumnus, provided a striking comparison to illustrate this acceleration.

He noted that when he graduated, smartphones were emerging as the dominant new technology, taking roughly six years to achieve near-ubiquity. In stark contrast, the AI-powered chatbot ChatGPT amassed over 100 million users in just two months. This dramatic difference underscores the breakneck pace of current technological adoption.

O’Brien described AI's potential impact as "tremendous," affecting fields from education and healthcare to business and the arts. His role at the university involves guiding students and faculty in understanding both the vast opportunities and the critical ethical considerations presented by these powerful tools. The focus is on preparing the community not just to use AI, but to engage with it thoughtfully and shape its responsible development for the future.