Louis Simon
AI-Challenge Lead
Center for Augmenting Intelligence (CAI)
MBA — Senior
Louis Simon is an MBA senior with a strong foundation in corporate finance and a growing focus on the intersection of business and artificial intelligence. At the Center for Augmenting Intelligence (CAI), he serves as the Lead for the Aging Well AI-Challenge, where he combines his expertise in finance, operations, and strategy to drive impactful, structured initiatives. Louis approaches AI not just as a technical tool, but as a business asset that can improve decision-making, optimize resources, and strengthen organizational outcomes.
How He Got Involved
Louis joined CAI in Fall 2025 after previously working with Dr. Olla during the Winter 2025 semester on the Breath Study as a student-athlete. That initial experience introduced him to the practical applications of AI in research and operations. When he officially stepped into his role at CAI, he took on responsibilities in marketing and analytics, but his vision extended further.
From the start, Louis aimed to leverage his finance background to optimize project resources, improve operational efficiency, and build clear, scalable workflows that could support long-term success.
Projects & Contributions
Louis’s primary focus at CAI has been leading the Aging Well AI-Challenge. In this role, he directed marketing efforts, coordinated cross-functional teams, and managed day-to-day operations to ensure the initiative ran smoothly and effectively.
Beyond operations, he played a key role in the financial side of the project, developing and delivering pitches to secure support from university leadership. He also co-authored two CSACE symposium posters: “Strategic Project Workflow & Digital Management for the CAI Aging Well AI-Challenge” & “Center for Augmenting Intelligence – AI in education”.
Overall, Louis ensured that CAI initiatives were not only innovative but also operationally efficient and financially sound.
Skills & Learning
Through his experience at CAI, Louis has strengthened his ability to translate complex AI concepts into clear, actionable business strategies. He has developed strong coordination and leadership skills by managing diverse teams and keeping projects on track under tight deadlines.
In addition, he has sharpened his financial analysis and presentation skills, particularly in pitching ideas to decision-makers and aligning projects with organizational goals.
Personal Reflection
Coming from a corporate finance background, Louis initially viewed AI from a distance. His experience at CAI shifted that perspective by showing him how deeply AI is integrated into business functions.
“AI is not just a tech tool,” he explains. “It is a business asset used to allocate resources better, streamline operations, and drive smarter marketing.”
This realization has shaped how he approaches both his career and the role of AI in modern organizations.
Student Quote
“Leading in AI is not just about understanding the code. It is about coordinating the people, running the operations, and making sure the numbers make sense.”
Advice to Other Students
Louis emphasizes that technical expertise is not the only path into AI.
“Do not worry if you are not a developer. Successful AI projects require people who understand finance, marketing, and operations. If you can coordinate teams and analyze data, you have a vital role to play here.”
His advice highlights the importance of interdisciplinary skills and encourages students from all backgrounds to get involved.
Looking Ahead
Looking forward, Louis is excited to apply his experience at CAI to a career in corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions. He sees his time at CAI as directly preparing him for this path by giving him hands-on experience in managing complex operations, evaluating projects, and bringing new ideas to market.
With a strong combination of financial expertise and operational insight, Louis is well-positioned to navigate and lead in data-driven, strategy-focused environments.
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