Dr. Michael Butcher is the Founder and President of the Center for Artificial Intelligence, where he helps organizations across business, government, and economic development harness AI for practical, measurable results. Through advisory work, executive training, and AI-powered workflow design, he turns fast-moving AI trends into concrete strategies that improve decision-making, operations, and workforce outcomes. Dr. Butcher is a nationally recognized keynote speaker on artificial intelligence, innovation, and organizational strategy. He also serves as Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at the College of Coastal Georgia (CCGA), a role that grounds his work in real-world leadership, change management, and organizational culture.

​

Dr. Butcher’s cross-sector impact includes extensive work with economic and business organizations. He has delivered a half-day AI training for Visit Savannah, the largest business unit of the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and the official destination marketing organization for the Greater Savannah area, and presented AI That Moves the Needle: Practical Results for Your Business Community to the Development Authorities of Bulloch, Evans, Screven, and Candler Counties; the Savannah Area Chamber; the Savannah Economic Development Authority; and the Regional Industry Support Enterprise (RISE); and the Development Authority of Bryan County. He has spoken at the Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus on AI-Powered Lead Generation & Prospecting and led sessions for the Georgia Council for Human Resources (GCHR), supporting state government HR leaders as they navigate AI’s impact on recruitment, performance, and the future of work.

​

Dr. Butcher has positioned the Center as a hub for translating complex AI capabilities into accessible, results-oriented solutions. Under his leadership, the organization designs AI agents and automated workflows that streamline operations, enhance customer and employee experiences, and transform repetitive processes into scalable, adaptive systems. He serves on the advisory board for CareerOS, an AI-powered career services platform that connects job seekers with opportunities and empowers universities and employers with data-driven insights. He was also selected as Executive Consultant for The Advisory Alliance on artificial intelligence, where he advises on AI strategy for corporate and leadership development clients. His webinar AI & the Future of Work: What Career Services Need to Know and numerous keynotes on AI and the workforce underscore his focus on helping organizations prepare for automation, new skills, and evolving expectations.

​

Dr. Butcher’s expertise is also recognized across national higher education and technology platforms, which serve as a strong foundation for his broader work. He has presented for the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Annual Conference, the Assistant Vice President Symposium, NASPA’s inaugural AI webinar Cut Through the Noise: A Practical AI Workshop for Immediate Impact, and the NASPA Virtual Conference on assessment and planning. At the EDUCAUSE Annual Conference, he delivered a session on AI and accessibility services. He has delivered keynotes at StarRez Global Connect, the Alabama Association of Colleges and Employers (AACE) Summer Conference, the Georgia Association of Colleges & Employers (GACE), the Southern Association of Colleges and Employers (SoACE) Employer Relations Summit, and the Student Affairs professional development retreat at Texas A&M University. His perspectives on AI ethics have been highlighted in EdTech Magazine’s “AI Ethics in Higher Education: How Schools Are Proceeding,” and he has appeared on AACE’s Coffee Chat webinar, along with being interviewed on the Citizen Experience podcast, Responsible AI, which explores the intersection of government, technology, and business transformation.

​

His academic background reflects deep interdisciplinary expertise. Dr. Butcher holds a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, a master’s degree in Public Administration, a doctorate in Educational Leadership, and a graduate certificate in Artificial Intelligence Business Innovation. He designed and launched CCGA’s inaugural undergraduate course, Artificial Intelligence and Business Innovation, which blends theory with real-world application to build essential AI literacy among students. He also served as faculty for NASPA’s first live, five-week AI course, Level Up - Actionable AI Strategies for Student Affairs; both the CCGA and NASPA courses have enrolled to capacity each time they have been offered. At CCGA, he co-chairs the AI Task Force after serving as a founding member of the institution’s AI Exploratory Committee, and he shared the Task Force’s work at the Complete College America Annual Conference.

​

Dr. Butcher’s influence extends into regional and civic spaces. He has engaged audiences at the North Cobb (Atlanta) Rotary Club and across the University System of Georgia (USG), including multiple Regents Administrative Committees and campus leadership groups. Across all of these roles, he remains committed to advancing technology and ensuring its practical use across sectors, helping organizations move from AI curiosity to AI capability.

​

Under his leadership, the Center for Artificial Intelligence delivers:

• Hands-on AI training workshops for teams and departments

• Customized strategy sessions for leaders and executives

• Guidance on ethical, responsible, and student-centered AI integration

• Research-based presentations and keynote addresses for conferences and events

• AI agents and automated workflows