A Student Perspective: Shem Carroll, 3rd-year student
What actually happens when the tools we create start making decisions for us… and do it better than us?
That’s the question I keep coming back to when I think about AI. On one hand, it’s exciting. There’s clear potential to improve productivity, streamline systems, and support better decision-making. But at the same time, there’s a bit of an uneasy feeling around it. It feels like things are moving quickly, and not everyone’s fully sure where it’s all heading.
As a student preparing to step into the workforce, there’s definitely some uncertainty. You start to wonder what roles will still exist in a few years, and whether the skills you’re building now will still be relevant. It’s a strange position to be in, studying for a future that’s actively changing while you’re working towards it.
For me, that uncertainty was part of the reason I pushed into building my own business, Greenline Management. It gave me something practical and grounded alongside my studies. At the same time, I don’t see AI as something to avoid. If anything, it’s something that needs to be understood and used well.
That’s where my experience at Avondale has actually been really valuable. There’s been a consistent focus on ethics, integrity, and thinking beyond just outcomes. It’s not just about what works, but what’s right. That way of thinking has shaped how I approach AI. Instead of just asking what it can do, I find myself asking what it should do, and who it impacts.
Ultimately, I don’t think AI will replace strong operators, but it will expose weak ones. The opportunity is there to use it to improve how we work, make better decisions, and create more value. The challenge will be making sure we stay accountable, thoughtful, and human in the process.
Image by Wirestock on Freepik
Shem Carroll is a third-year Business student at Avondale University, majoring in Human Resource Management and Marketing. He is also the founder of Greenline Management, a maintenance business focused on high-end residential and commercial spaces.