\u201cSo when they\u2019re saying, \u2018Oh, people\u2019s jobs aren\u2019t being replaced.\u2019 Yes, they are,\u201d DeFelice said. \u201cI can\u2019t argue with you more on that, because I employ people to do these things.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"(Maria](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0402-CandidConversation-MC-13-1024x683.jpg\")
Panelists discuss the use of AI during a Fort Worth Report Candid Conversation on April 2, 2026, at Texas Wesleyan University. Business editor Bob Francis, left, moderated the discussion with Kelly Baggett, innovation coordinator for the city of Fort Worth; Reuben Burch, Texas Christian University\u2019s vice provost of research; Carlo Capua, senior principal at the Rainwater Charitable Foundation; and Adam Powell, CEO and president of United Way of Tarrant County. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report\/CatchLight Local\/Report for America)<\/p>\n
Panelists discuss the use of AI during a Fort Worth Report Candid Conversation on April 2, 2026, at Texas Wesleyan University. Business editor Bob Francis, left, moderated the discussion with Kelly Baggett, innovation coordinator for the city of Fort Worth; Reuben Burch, Texas Christian University\u2019s vice provost of research; Carlo Capua, senior principal at the Rainwater Charitable Foundation; and Adam Powell, CEO and president of United Way of Tarrant County. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report\/CatchLight Local\/Report for America)<\/p>\n
Burch sees this changing workforce on the horizon and tells students to be cautious with their career paths moving forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cCertain industries will have to fight to justify their existence,\u201d he said. \u201cAs we talk to students, you have to be really mindful of, \u2018Are you going down this career path to not have a job? Because your industry has been disrupted by AI.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Kelly Baggett, the city\u2019s innovation coordinator, said she was excited about how small and large businesses in Fort Worth are using AI.<\/p>\n
She highlighted Gatik, an autonomous freight company that operates out of the Mobility Innovation Zone<\/a> in far north Fort Worth\u2019s AllianceTexas development. So far, Gatik has completed more than 60,000 deliveries without an incident, she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cFort Worth is a startup city, and we\u2019re in a pivotal moment right now,\u201d she said. \u201cWe see a lot of entrepreneurs using AI, so I think everybody should get comfortable with being uncomfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n Carlo Capua, senior principal at the Rainwater Charitable Foundation, uses a smart watch that tracks his sleep patterns. He feeds the collected data into an AI program that suggests how he should adjust his daily routines.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt said, \u2018Take your magnesium two hours before bedtime because it will relax your body and make you sleep better,\u2019\u201d he said. \u201cAnd I sleep an hour more of deep sleep every night because of that one suggestion.\u201d<\/p>\n Capua encouraged parents to talk about AI with their children. A Pew Research survey found that 4 in 10 parents have never talked to their children<\/a> about the use of AI. Having healthy dialogue around the topic with children is important as AI is used increasingly in schools and at home, he said.<\/p>\n At the university level, TCU is integrating AI across campus through a $10 million partnership<\/a> with Dell Technologies, Microsoft and Amazon Web Services, Burch said. Together, they are expanding access to AI tools for students and faculty.<\/p>\n Burch said the goal is not to replace traditional learning, but to help students understand how to use AI responsibly.<\/p>\n AI isn\u2019t going away, Baggett said. The goal now should be similar to what TCU is striving: Teaching people how to responsibly use AI in their lives, she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe genie is out of the bottle,\u201d Baggett said. \u201cWe can\u2019t put the genie back in.\u201d<\/p>\n In case you missed it, click here<\/a> to watch the discussion. <\/p>\n Joseph Morgan is a reporting fellow for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at joseph.morgan@fortworthreport.org.<\/a><\/p>\n