Apr 21
Kristine Arens
Associate Professor of Practice, Department of Business Analytics, University of Iowa
andJames W. Chaffee
Exec Director, Learning Innovation & Technology and Adjunct Instructor, Tippie College, University of Iowa
andMina Song
Business Analytics and Marketing Major, University of Iowa
Minority Report— AI said you’d be here: From sci-fi to reality
Program Description
Minority Report (2002) envisions a world where technology knows our actions before we do, raising urgent questions about free will, privacy, and the future dangers of over-reliance on AI-driven systems. Join us as we examine the intersection of a classic Hollywood vision and today’s AI-driven world.
Film Synopsis
In a future where a special police unit is able to arrest murderers before they commit their crimes, an officer from that unit is himself accused of a future murder.
Based on a story by famed science fiction writer Philip K. Dick, Steven Spielberg's Minority Report is an action-detective thriller set in Washington D.C. in 2054, where police utilize a psychic technology to arrest and convict murderers before they commit their crime. Tom Cruise plays the head of this Precrime unit and is himself accused of the future murder of a man he hasn't even met.
Photo credit: 20th Century Fox
About the Speaker
With nearly 20 years in the IT industry, Kristine Arens has dedicated her career to advancing technology and developing the next generation of tech leaders. She joined the University of Iowa in 2016, initially working with the MBA program, and is now an Associate Professor of Practice in the Department of Business Analytics. In addition to her teaching role, she serves as the Professional Director of the Master of Science in Business Analytics program and faculty lead for the BAIS Student Ambassador Program. Kristine began her career as a software developer at Pearson Education and has remained engaged in the technology space ever since. She quickly transitioned from traditional programming roles to working with cutting-edge technologies and ultimately leading large-scale assessment projects. Seeking to expand her impact beyond corporate technology, she later founded her own coaching and consulting business, helping emerging leaders and fast-growing companies navigate challenges and scale effectively. At the core of Kristine’s work is a passion for supporting growth, fostering connections, and making complex ideas accessible—whether in the classroom, in leadership development, or through innovative technology solutions.
Jim Chaffee has over 33 years of progressive higher education IT experience, including 25+ years of teaching in computer science and business analytics. Jim joined the Tippie College in 2007 after serving as the Assistant Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer at Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL. Jim’s investigates how innovative technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence and Extended Reality, can transform learning experiences. In addition to holding a BS in English Education and an MA in Educational Technology Jim is currently a reviewer for the publication Tech Trends. He is a member of VR/AR Association, Virtual World Society, The Association for Educational Communications and Technology, INFORMS, and the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence. Jim has served as a board member for the Associated Colleges of Illinois Ameritech Technology Planning Committee and the Technology in Business School Roundtable.
Mina Song is a senior Business Analytics and Marketing major at Iowa from Cedar Rapids. She also has an Art minor and enjoys reading, pottery, and watching movies. Mina is currently the Lead Chair for the BAIS Student Ambassadors and is involved in Tippie Senate, Delta Sigma Pi, Tippie Judicial Board, and works as a Data Management and Analysis intern in the Academic Support and Retention department at the university. Mina enjoys BAIS because it bridges the gap between creative thinking and analytical skills. Her bio is much less impressive than Kris and Jim’s, but she is still excited to be here.