Cheramie Walz Shares AI Insight at Sold-out Symposium
News Release
Millersville, PA – With artificial intelligence reshaping nearly every industry, Mark W. Cheramie Walz of Sweet, Stevens, Katz & Williams LLP joined a panel of thought leaders at the sold-out Lancaster AI Symposium 2.0, held April 4 at Millersville University. The event drew a standing-room-only crowd, eager to learn how AI is being integrated into fields as diverse as finance, healthcare, software development, education, and law.
Walz addressed the legal and ethical challenges of AI in public institutions, emphasizing the need for clear guidelines on data privacy, bias, and responsible use. He noted the importance of collaboration among educators, technologists, and legal experts to ensure that AI is implemented in ways that are both innovative and legally sound.
The discussion was moderated by Dr. Ashutosh Saxena, a trailblazer in the AI space. The panel addressed a wide range of timely topics, including:
- Real-world applications of AI and industry success stories
- How organizations are balancing automation with human expertise
- The workforce impact of AI and the need for upskilling and reskilling
- Strategies to mitigate risks such as data bias, security threats, and ethical concerns
- The role of cross-sector collaboration in driving responsible innovation
- The influence of AI on leadership decisions and organizational strategy
- Measuring the ROI of AI initiatives, and
- Advice for leaders and educators navigating AI integration
Walz joined a distinguished group of panelists, including Ryan Webster, Software Engineer at Clark Associates; Mark Hoffman, Chief Investment Officer of Fulton Bank; Dr. Mitchell Schnall, SVP for Data and Technology Solutions at Penn Medicine, and Amber Nicole Pfannenstiel of Millersville University.
As the head of Sweet Stevens’ Education Technology Pool Counsel, Walz collaborates with school districts and Intermediate Units across Pennsylvania, focusing on cutting-edge technology issues such as artificial intelligence, data privacy, cybersecurity, and mobile device management. His expertise extends to developing policies and frameworks that help educational institutions navigate the evolving legal and technological landscape.
Sweet, Stevens, Katz & Williams, LLP was formed in 1995 by nine experienced education lawyers who created the first private law practice in Pennsylvania dedicated entirely to Education Law. Since then, the firm has grown to 26 attorneys who represent over 290 school and municipal entities as Solicitors or as Special Counsel in more than 50 counties throughout Pennsylvania, and in additional practice areas, such as Construction Law, Tax Assessment Appeals, Audit of Operations and Practices, Real Estate Law and Oil, Gas and Mineral Law.