Lara Taylor
Why book Lara?
- Empowers audiences to leverage AI for innovation
- Inspires action with practical challenges like "connect two people"
- Proven impact through virtual and in-person events
Lara Taylor, MLIS, is an AI Connection Catalyst with 38 years of entrepreneurial flair, uniting people and tech across industries. A D-Tech student at Purdue and Project Manager at Mississippi State, she boasts 25+ years in live TV production - directing daily newscasts at WLOX-TV, managing graphics at WSB-TV, and producing graphics for major networks worldwide, including national and international sports broadcasts. Her TV career honed her ability to engage audiences under pressure, a skill she now brings to every stage.
A 2025 Perplexity Business Fellow, 2025 MSAIC Research Fellow, and BoodleBox.AI Leadership Council member, Lara’s been a trailblazer in AI since 2019, pre-ChatGPT. She’s delivered over 135 workshops and talks - like “Leveraging Generative AI for Active Listening Skill Development” for BoodleBox’s Collaborative AI Accelerator Series (2025) and her Southern Spark AI Conference (2024) session on AI-driven podcasting, based on her article published in Public Services Quarterly. She’s also shared emerging tech insights at the Creating Futures Through Technology Conference, rallied online MLIS students at Mississippi Library Association (MLA), led an emerging tech committee at MSU (securing a $5,000 grant for VR supplies), and presented at USM’s 3MT competition, where she showcased her master’s research on low-tech solutions in a high-tech world. Lara’s also archived 600+ rare books, highlighting her diverse tech and library expertise.
Lara's skills and interests were focused on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies before they ever became buzzwords. She has been steadily gaining knowledge and experience that would naturally fit with this position. Lara's Capstone project for her MLIS was a webometric study on the presence of Artificial Intelligence use inside SEC academic libraries. She also earned a certificate for “Introduction to Digital Humanities” through EdX, HarvardX’s online program.
Her D.A.R.E.S. framework - Discernment, Aptitude, Resourcefulness, Ethics, Symbiosis - empowers audiences to use AI ethically and effectively, whether in classrooms, libraries, or workplaces. Her TEDx pitch, “The Ripple of Us: Connecting Where We Stand,” dares attendees to rethink relationships in a digital age, blending humor and heart with actionable insights.
Lara’s talks resonate because they’re grounded in real impact: she’s united AI pioneers who are shaping policy, connected colleagues thriving 20 years later, and empowered students through MSU’s Digital Media Center, where she taught over 135 software workshops. Her research, like the 3.2M podcast stat from Listen Notes, proves AI’s reach, while her stories - like linking a non-profit dreamer with a lawyer - make it human.
Lara’s leadership extends beyond speaking. At MSU, she’s founded the Emerging Technologies Committee, chaired it from 2022-2023, and secured a grant for the Maxx South Digital Media Center in 2024. She’s served on ALA’s Committee on Research and Statistics (2023-2025), the SAA Josephine Forman Award Committee (2023-2025), and as Southeast Regional Leader for the Association of Creative Technologies in Academic Libraries (2022-2024). Her accolades include the 2022 Peggy May Scholarship from MLA, the Molline Mayfield Keyes Scholarship from USM, and a Student Travel Award from the Association of Architecture School Librarians. A member of Beta Phi Mu and Golden Key International Honour Societies, Lara’s academic rigor matches her practical impact.
Audiences leave Lara’s talks transformed. They’ll master AI tools - smart feedback boosting listening 40% (Robertson, 2005), Capsho for slashing podcast editing time - and spark meaningful connection. They’ll learn to spot biases (Discernment), collaborate with tech (Resourcefulness), and build trust, whether in teams, classrooms, or communities. Facing loneliness - 60% of us, per CDC 2023 - they’ll gain strategies to unite, inspired by Lara’s dare to “connect two people this week.” Meeting planners, Lara’s a catalyst - igniting ripples of tech-savvy connection on any stage, in-person or virtual.
Lara Taylor, MLIS, is an AI Connection Catalyst with 38 years of entrepreneurial flair, uniting people and tech across industries. A D-Tech student at Purdue and Project Manager at Mississippi State, she boasts 25+ years in live TV production - directing daily newscasts at WLOX-TV, managing graphics at WSB-TV, and producing graphics for major networks worldwide, including national and international sports broadcasts. Her TV career honed her ability to engage audiences under pressure, a skill she now brings to every stage.
A 2025 Perplexity Business Fellow, 2025 MSAIC Research Fellow, and BoodleBox.AI Leadership Council member, Lara’s been a trailblazer in AI since 2019, pre-ChatGPT. She’s delivered over 135 workshops and talks - like “Leveraging Generative AI for Active Listening Skill Development” for BoodleBox’s Collaborative AI Accelerator Series (2025) and her Southern Spark AI Conference (2024) session on AI-driven podcasting, based on her article published in Public Services Quarterly. She’s also shared emerging tech insights at the Creating Futures Through Technology Conference, rallied online MLIS students at Mississippi Library Association (MLA), led an emerging tech committee at MSU (securing a $5,000 grant for VR supplies), and presented at USM’s 3MT competition, where she showcased her master’s research on low-tech solutions in a high-tech world. Lara’s also archived 600+ rare books, highlighting her diverse tech and library expertise.
Lara's skills and interests were focused on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies before they ever became buzzwords. She has been steadily gaining knowledge and experience that would naturally fit with this position. Lara's Capstone project for her MLIS was a webometric study on the presence of Artificial Intelligence use inside SEC academic libraries. She also earned a certificate for “Introduction to Digital Humanities” through EdX, HarvardX’s online program.
Her D.A.R.E.S. framework - Discernment, Aptitude, Resourcefulness, Ethics, Symbiosis - empowers audiences to use AI ethically and effectively, whether in classrooms, libraries, or workplaces. Her TEDx pitch, “The Ripple of Us: Connecting Where We Stand,” dares attendees to rethink relationships in a digital age, blending humor and heart with actionable insights.
Lara’s talks resonate because they’re grounded in real impact: she’s united AI pioneers who are shaping policy, connected colleagues thriving 20 years later, and empowered students through MSU’s Digital Media Center, where she taught over 135 software workshops. Her research, like the 3.2M podcast stat from Listen Notes, proves AI’s reach, while her stories - like linking a non-profit dreamer with a lawyer - make it human.
Lara’s leadership extends beyond speaking. At MSU, she’s founded the Emerging Technologies Committee, chaired it from 2022-2023, and secured a grant for the Maxx South Digital Media Center in 2024. She’s served on ALA’s Committee on Research and Statistics (2023-2025), the SAA Josephine Forman Award Committee (2023-2025), and as Southeast Regional Leader for the Association of Creative Technologies in Academic Libraries (2022-2024). Her accolades include the 2022 Peggy May Scholarship from MLA, the Molline Mayfield Keyes Scholarship from USM, and a Student Travel Award from the Association of Architecture School Librarians. A member of Beta Phi Mu and Golden Key International Honour Societies, Lara’s academic rigor matches her practical impact.
Audiences leave Lara’s talks transformed. They’ll master AI tools - smart feedback boosting listening 40% (Robertson, 2005), Capsho for slashing podcast editing time - and spark meaningful connection. They’ll learn to spot biases (Discernment), collaborate with tech (Resourcefulness), and build trust, whether in teams, classrooms, or communities. Facing loneliness - 60% of us, per CDC 2023 - they’ll gain strategies to unite, inspired by Lara’s dare to “connect two people this week.” Meeting planners, Lara’s a catalyst - igniting ripples of tech-savvy connection on any stage, in-person or virtual.
