Noah Kurthaupt, a rising senior at the University of Miami, focuses on the responsible use of artificial intelligence at AI Answered.
Kurt Haupt, who majored in marketing and minored in entrepreneurship, co-founded AI Answered with University of Miami junior Andy Robbins. Kruthaupt has been interested in AI since high school, when he ran a marketing agency and used a beta version of ChatGPT.
Robbins and Kurthaupt also co-authored AI for Boomers: AI Made Easy for Home, Wealth, Health, and Security, which is available on Amazon and will be published in December 2025.
Given the importance of AI both now and in the future, Kurt Haupt actively attended this year’s AI conference in Washington, DC in late May. The event, attended by government officials, policymakers, and industry leaders, was an opportunity for Kurt Haupt to connect with AI thought leaders and hear from a wide sample of perspectives on what he called “one of the most important technologies to emerge in this generation.”
“We’re still in the early stages of implementing AI, and that’s one of the biggest things,” Kurthaupt said of what he learned during his time in Washington. “This is really a marathon, not a sprint. This was a big step towards creating a support organization for everyone working on AI to help each other.”
More than 75 government, industry and leaders spoke at the AI conference, including Miami State President Gregory Crawford.
Nate Novak, a rising junior majoring in political science and minoring in business leadership, also attended the AI conference as part of his role as an intern with the ASPIRE office in Miami. Novak traveled to Washington with President Crawford. David Seidl, Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer. Lauren Poythress, Director of Federal Relations;
AI is a tool to be leveraged, not feared, says Novak. “It’s definitely pushed us to use it more often and, more importantly, to use it more effectively. There are ways to use it to enhance jobs rather than take them away. We need to educate people on how to do that,” Novak said.
The AI Congress marked Novak’s second visit to Washington with ASPIRE. He also attended and helped plan that group’s alternative spring break outing, which was attended by about 60 Miami students.
My time at ASPIRE was beneficial. Mr. Novak praised the office, Mr. Poythress, and ASPIRE Vice President Randy Thomas.
“They have a wealth of knowledge,” Novak said. “My professional goal is to go to DC and work in politics. I’ve been to DC many times and it’s becoming a second home for me. The AI conference was really interesting. It was great to hear from a variety of speakers about this ever-evolving topic that is currently engulfing the world.”
Two sessions attended by President Crawford focused on quantum computing. “Accelerating Quantum Computing Education, Research, and Collaboration” and “Developing a Talent Pipeline for Quantum Computing and Emerging Technologies.” The City of Miami has created an innovative partnership with Cleveland Clinic. This includes collaborating to create Ohio’s first professional degree in quantum computing and the creation of the Ohio Institute for Quantum Computing Research, Talent, and Commercialization.
Seidl, who moderated a panel discussion on quantum computing, noted that the AI conference was a special moment for the students in attendance.
“If I was an undergrad in that room, I would have been stunned,” he says. “We had national figures, people from industry, great people from different branches of government coming. I don’t think this is the type of experience that most students get to experience.”
Much of the two days were spent discussing AI in the context of what’s next, the challenges ahead, and opportunities at the state and national level.
Ohio State in particular did well, Seidl said. He also pointed to the university’s strengths in AI, including integrating the technology into the school’s curriculum and the City of Miami’s efforts to keep AI sustainable.
“We were able to share where the University of Miami is and showcase the university in a very positive way,” Seidl said. “Our faculty are leveraging AI in creative ways to support their programs. We want to make sure that we reach a baseline so that all students have the same AI knowledge in the context of their majors. This is extremely valuable.”
