When Jeff Shuford retired in 2024 from his leadership role at National Invest In Veterans Week® (NIVW), the initiative he founded to empower veteran-owned businesses, many believed he had already achieved his pinnacle. A combat veteran, an entrepreneur, and a celebrated advocate for veterans, Shuford’s impact had already reached global proportions. Yet his post-retirement journey has not only continued to build upon his legacy but has also elevated his influence in unprecedented ways, expanding his reach into the realms of academia and artificial intelligence (AI).