Topic - AI@Iona News (150)

Rob Kissner Speaks at BCW’s AI Alliance 360 Impact Summit (Media Mentions 6010)

ptascio@iona.edu — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 16:27:30 +0000

Rob Kissner Speaks at BCW’s AI Alliance 360 Impact Summit (Media Mentions 6010) ptascio@iona.edu Fri, 03/27/2026 - 12:27 Rob Kissner Speaks at BCW’s AI Alliance 360 Impact Summit

Rob Kissner shared insights on the intersection of AI and higher education.

March 26, 2026

Read now on www.thebcw.org

BCW

Iona’s Rob Kissner Discusses AI in Higher Education at BCW Panel (News 6008)

jhernandez33@gaels.iona.edu — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 14:55:16 +0000

Iona’s Rob Kissner Discusses AI in Higher Education at BCW Panel (News 6008) jhernandez33@g… Thu, 03/26/2026 - 10:55 Iona’s Rob Kissner Discusses AI in Higher Education at BCW Panel

Rob Kissner shared insights on the intersection of AI and higher education.

March 26, 2026

Rob Kissner, Clinical Lecturer at the Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Iona University, served as a featured panelist at The Business Council of Westchester’s AI Alliance 360° Impact Summit. The event was held on Monday, March 23, 2026, at the Louis V. Gerstner Center for Learning in Armonk, N.Y.

Kissner participated in the panel “Reshaping Communities, Civic Life and the Human Connection,” where leaders explored how artificial intelligence is shaping everything from education to the arts to daily life.

The event featured an introduction from Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins and was moderated by John Ravitz, COO of the BCW, Westchester County’s largest business organization representing more than 1,100 members. Panels and speakers included:

Redefining Markets, the Competitive Advantage and the Way We Work

Andy Bryant — Strategy & Solutions Leader, AI-First Transformation, IBM
Antony Haynes — Partner, Dorf Nelson & Zauderer
Steven Mines — President, The Mines Press
Moish Peltz — Co-Managing Partner, Falcon Rappaport & Berkman LLP
Oleg Tumanov — Founder and Executive Chairman, Selsa
Paul Tyler — Head of Enterprise Marketing and Innovation, Zinnia

Reshaping Communities, Civic Life and the Human Connection

David E. Gross, AIA — Executive Partner, GF55 Architects
Rey Hollingsworth Falu — President, HGAR
Rob Kissner — Clinical Lecturer, Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Iona University
Kathleen Reckling — Chief Executive Officer, ArtsWestchester
Chad Scholes — Chief Innovation and Logistics Officer, Metro-North Railroad

John Ravitz, COO of the Business Council of Westchester (BCW), moderated the AI Alliance 360° Impact Summit.

From left: David E. Gross, Kathleen Reckling, John Ravitz, Chad Scholes, Rob Kissner and Rey Hollingsworth Falu.

Rob Kissner, center, shared insights on AI in higher education during the "Reshaping Communities, Civic Life and the Human Connection" panel at the BCW Impact Summit.

Pictured front and center is Rob Kissner, joined by fellow industry experts and summit organizers.

Attendees filled the hall for a keynote session at the BCW AI Alliance 360° Impact Summit.

ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of over 4,000 students and an alumni base of 55,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 6 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review once again named Iona to its “Best Business Schools for 2025,” recognizing both its on-campus and online MBA programs. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.

Exploring AI’s Role in the Classroom: Iona’s Aakash Sapru Speaks with The Bronxville School on Embracing Roles as ‘Choice Architects’ in the Age of AI (News 6004)

jhernandez33@gaels.iona.edu — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 14:53:44 +0000

Exploring AI’s Role in the Classroom: Iona’s Aakash Sapru Speaks with The Bronxville School on Embracing Roles as ‘Choice Architects’ in the Age of AI (News 6004) jhernandez33@g… Wed, 03/25/2026 - 10:53 Exploring AI’s Role in the Classroom: Iona’s Aakash Sapru Speaks with The Bronxville School on Embracing Roles as ‘Choice Architects’ in the Age of AI

Dr. Aakash Sapru discussed the concept of "creative destruction" and the evolution of professional roles in the age of AI.

March 25, 2026

At The Bronxville School’s Superintendent’s Day on Friday, March 20, Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Assistant Professor Aakash Sapru, Ph.D., invited school faculty and staff to think critically about artificial intelligence not as a force that simply happens to education, but as a tool whose impact depends on the choices educators make.

In his presentation, “Educators as Stewards of Human Thought: Redesigning Student-Centered Learning with AI,” Sapru framed educators as “choice architects” with both the power and the responsibility to determine how AI is integrated into their work and learning environments.

Speaking to Bronxville School faculty and staff, Sapru emphasized that major innovations do more than introduce new tools; they also reshape existing ways of working and learning. Positioning AI within that broader context, he encouraged attendees to move beyond viewing artificial intelligence as a single, one-dimensional concept and instead consider the different forms it can take, from generative AI to predictive AI, each with its own opportunities, risks and educational implications.

Audience members discussed classroom innovation in regards to AI.

Central to Sapru’s message was the idea that educators are already designing the conditions in which students learn. From classroom activities to homework and assessment design, he noted that every instructional decision helps shape how students engage with course material, with one another and with AI itself. Rather than beginning with the question, “Can AI do this?” Sapru urged educators to start with a more important one: “What is in the student’s best interest to develop here?” That student-centered approach, he argued, should remain the guiding principle in any conversation about AI in education.

“It was a privilege to speak with the outstanding educators at The Bronxville School about the role of AI in teaching and learning,” Sapru said. “As educators and professionals, we all have the opportunity to serve as ‘choice architects.’ I am excited by the possibilities AI presents in education, especially when its use is guided with intention, responsibility, and a clear focus on what is in students’ best interests.”

Sapru also encouraged faculty and staff to reflect on their own attitudes toward AI, noting that both enthusiasm and skepticism can influence how these tools are introduced and discussed in educational settings. Thoughtful innovation, he suggested, requires not only experimentation — but also reflection, collaboration, and a willingness to engage concerns without allowing them to shut down curiosity or progress.

Dr. Aakash Sapru lead a discussion on the role of AI in education during The Bronxville School’s Superintendent’s Day.

Closing in the spirit of partnership and shared purpose, Sapru underscored his central message: every individual has the power — and the responsibility — to act as a “choice architect.” For educators, that means helping shape how (or whether) AI is introduced into students’ daily lives in ways that prepare them to move through their academic and professional journeys with confidence.

"Dr. Sapru’s keynote at our Superintendent's Conference Day provided guidance in how to navigate the 'creative destruction' of AI by placing educators in the role of 'choice architects',” Bronxville School Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Ann Meyer said. “His framework focused on a student-centered approach that prioritizes cognitive, emotional, and social development. He tasked teachers with always asking themselves what serves the student's best interest. Dr. Sapru has given us a clear roadmap for responsible, thoughtful innovation in our classrooms."

The visit built upon Iona’s ongoing AI@Iona partnership with the Bronxville School, where Iona faculty have engaged K-12 educators in multi-session workshops throughout the school year, made possible through the Gabelli Center for Teaching & Learning. To learn more or get involved, contact provost@iona.edu.

Forbes: Iona Student Nicolette Zaffuto on the intersection of AI, Art and Business (Media Mentions 6000)

ptascio@iona.edu — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 13:37:35 +0000

Forbes: Iona Student Nicolette Zaffuto on the intersection of AI, Art and Business (Media Mentions 6000) ptascio@iona.edu Tue, 03/24/2026 - 09:37 Forbes: Iona Student Nicolette Zaffuto on the intersection of AI, Art and Business March 20, 2026

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Forbes

Iona University President Dr. Seamus Carey Joins the Leadership Unleashed Podcast (Media Mentions 5986)

jhernandez33@gaels.iona.edu — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 16:16:45 +0000

Iona University President Dr. Seamus Carey Joins the Leadership Unleashed Podcast (Media Mentions 5986) jhernandez33@g… Wed, 03/18/2026 - 12:16 Iona University President Dr. Seamus Carey Joins the Leadership Unleashed Podcast March 18, 2026

Listen now on thebcw.org

BCW

Iona University to Host “The Future of Work” Conference April 16-17 (News 5973)

ptascio@iona.edu — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 19:47:46 +0000

Iona University to Host “The Future of Work” Conference April 16-17 (News 5973) ptascio@iona.edu Tue, 03/10/2026 - 15:47 Iona University to Host “The Future of Work” Conference April 16-17Renowned MIT economist David H. Autor, Ph.D., to present keynote address as part of the Gabelli Center for Teaching & Learning’s two-day event March 11, 2026

New Rochelle, N.Y. (March 11, 2026) — Iona University is pleased to announce its spring conference, “The Future of Work: Finding Meaningful Careers in the AI Age,” will take place April 16-17, 2026. The event will feature a keynote address by David H. Autor, Ph.D., an MIT economics professor and one of the world’s leading labor economists, followed by a dynamic, full-day conference exploring the nature, meaning and future of work.

Presented through the Gabelli Center for Teaching & Learning, the event is generously offered free of charge and is open to the public. Learn more and register in advance.

“At Iona, we are focused not only on how artificial intelligence is changing the workplace, but on how it will shape the dignity and meaning of human work itself,” said Iona University President Seamus Carey, Ph.D. “We are pleased to welcome Dr. Autor for an important conversation about how new technologies can promote human flourishing rather than replace it. Through the ongoing work of the Gabelli Center, Iona is playing a vital role in convening these conversations, and we look forward to another impactful conference that invites our campus and community partners to be part of the dialogue.”

ABOUT THE KEYNOTE

Autor is an internationally recognized authority on how technological change, globalization and trade agreements affect labor markets. He currently serves as the Daniel (1972) and Gail Rubinfeld Professor in Economics at MIT.

Kicking off the conference on Thursday, April 16, at 6:30 p.m., Autor will engage the community in a timely conversation entitled, “Expertise, Artificial Intelligence and the Work of the Future.” In this event keynote, Autor will address the question at the forefront of everyone’s minds concerning the future of work: Will recent advances in AI complement human expertise, thereby increasing its value, or render it increasingly unnecessary?

Presented as part of the University’s Presidential Speaker Series, his talk will be followed by a Q&A. All are welcome to attend; advanced registration is requested.

THE FUTURE OF WORK CONFERENCE

On Friday, April 17, the event shifts into a full day of dynamic presentations, including:

The Future Work of the University, President Seamus Carey, Ph.D.
The Entrepreneurial Imperative: Human Skills in an AI-Driven World
Interprofessional Education and the Future of Health Care
A Futurist Looks at the Future of Work (Through its Past)
Panel Discussion: Education in Real Life

“Through the work of the Gabelli Center, Iona has been at the forefront of teaching and learning in the age of AI, and we are thrilled to be able to present both our findings and ongoing research as part of our spring conference,” said Tricia Mulligan, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs at Iona. “We especially invite our business and community partners to join the discussion, as together we advance this important work.”

Please click here for full event descriptions and to reserve your spot today!

BUILDING ON THE MOMENTUM

Iona’s spring conference builds on the momentum of the Gabelli Center for Teaching & Learning’s ongoing efforts around Catholic education and pedagogical innovation. Shaped by the vision of Marc Gabelli, its work is made possible through the generosity of Mr. Gabelli; his mother, Elaine Madonna Gabelli, a longtime Catholic elementary school teacher; and the EMG Madonna Foundation, which is committed to supporting and strengthening the future of Catholic schools.

This past fall, the Gabelli Center hosted a highly successful conference, “The Future of Teaching in the AI Age,” which drew over 200 K-12, higher education and Catholic school educators to campus to explore how AI can both transform and revitalize the enduring educational values.

Iona’s Presidential Speaker Series complements these efforts, conceived by President Carey to bring world-renowned thinkers to campus to inspire communitywide conversations.

Past speakers have most recently included, among others, Todd Park, former U.S. chief technology officer; D. Graham Burnett, Ph.D., a leading voice on the historical and philosophical dimensions of attention; and Shannon Vallor, Ph.D., an acclaimed technology ethicist and author. Learn more about Iona’s speaker series here.

Forbes: How This Iona Student is Using AI to Build His Business (Media Mentions 5969)

ptascio@iona.edu — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 21:43:27 +0000

Forbes: How This Iona Student is Using AI to Build His Business (Media Mentions 5969) ptascio@iona.edu Fri, 03/06/2026 - 16:43 Forbes: How This Iona Student is Using AI to Build His Business March 6, 2026

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Forbes

Iona Launches ‘Education in Real Life’ to Tackle AI in the Workforce (Media Mentions 5966)

ptascio@iona.edu — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:02:10 +0000

Iona Launches ‘Education in Real Life’ to Tackle AI in the Workforce (Media Mentions 5966) ptascio@iona.edu Thu, 03/05/2026 - 09:02 Iona Launches ‘Education in Real Life’ to Tackle AI in the Workforce February 26, 2026

Read now on thebcw.org

BCW

Iona University Garners Attention for New “Education in Real Life” Program, Bridging the AI Gap Between Classroom and Career (News 5932)

ptascio@iona.edu — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 18:13:49 +0000

Iona University Garners Attention for New “Education in Real Life” Program, Bridging the AI Gap Between Classroom and Career (News 5932) ptascio@iona.edu Fri, 02/20/2026 - 13:13 Iona University Garners Attention for New “Education in Real Life” Program, Bridging the AI Gap Between Classroom and Career February 20, 2026

As artificial intelligence continues to assume a prominent role in the world, Iona University remains committed to providing its students with the means to succeed — both on campus and into their careers.

This is evident in the University’s announcement of “Education in Real Life,” a four-week summer program that offers students the opportunity to explore how human creativity, reason, and technical skill converge by working directly with both faculty and industry leaders in energy, construction and hospitality.

In a conversation with Fox 5 reporter Richard Giacovas ’13, Iona President Seamus Carey, Ph.D., noted that while education and work are bigger than AI, the new program will be instrumental in positioning students for future success—both personal and professional.

“We are excited that our students are going to get a leg up on the future of work and what that means for them and their lives,” Carey said. “They will have a leg up on the way these industries are evolving because they will be working directly with industry leaders who are exploring these questions for themselves.”

Joining in on the conversation with Giacovas, “AI in Real Life” club co-founder Cy Abbot ’28 expressed enthusiasm for the program for the possibilities it provides to students.

“We want to bridge the gap between education and AI,” Abbot said. “We want to use AI as a tool, not just as a replacement for the education that you need.”

Abbot has already applied for the program and is hopeful to be selected as part of the inaugural cohort.

Joining in on the discussion, both News 12 and WPIX highlighted Education in Real Life, featuring the program as part of its coverage on how Iona is responding to the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. The hits highlighted Iona’s proactive approach to preparing students for an evolving workforce, emphasizing the University’s focus on pairing emerging technology with creative thinking, ethics and hands-on industry engagement.

ABOUT EDUCATION IN REAL LIFE

Through coursework, conversation with industry leaders, small-group activities and site visits, students will examine how AI and other digital technologies are rapidly reshaping planning, performance and workforce needs. At the same time, students will connect industry knowledge with the reading of texts relevant to the themes raised by consideration of energy, building, hospitality, and the world they shape.

The first group of industry partners includes Eos Energy Enterprises; Consigli Construction Co., Inc.; Union Square Hospitality Group; Wyndham Hotels and Resorts; and legendary Westchester restaurateur John Crabtree. Learn more here.

Iona Students Launch AI Club to Explore its Evolving Role in Learning, Work and Life (News 5929)

jhernandez33@gaels.iona.edu — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 19:45:01 +0000

Iona Students Launch AI Club to Explore its Evolving Role in Learning, Work and Life (News 5929) jhernandez33@g… Thu, 02/19/2026 - 14:45 Iona Students Launch AI Club to Explore its Evolving Role in Learning, Work and Life

Members of AI in Real Life share the belief that developing AI literacy at the undergraduate level will prove beneficial in life beyond the classroom.

February 19, 2026

As Iona University continues to be a leading voice in the conversation surrounding artificial intelligence’s place in higher education, a group of its students have embraced their role as ambassadors to educate and inspire their peers.

Appropriately named AI in Real Life, the club serves a dual-purpose mission: to educate members of the Iona community — more specifically students — on the multitude of resources made accessible by AI and to create a supportive environment for aspiring AI entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to life.

“That is the reason we are here,” club founder, president and finance major C.J. Moriarty ‘28 said. “Because we want to teach people that there are right ways to use AI. There are ways we can use it to help people. We want to teach our peers how to make it beneficial.”

Beyond skill-building, the club emphasizes the role of human creativity and decision-making in AI development, encouraging students to see the technology as a tool rather than a replacement for independent thought. The club builds upon the University's work around embracing AI while engaging in broader discussions about the history, evolution and future of the new technology.

Students at Iona are encouraged to see AI as a tool rather than a replacement for independent thought.

“AI is driven by the human mind,” club member and computer science major Thomas Johnson ‘28 said. “AI is only as good as what you make it. And I think that's why we're called ‘AI in Real Life,’ because AI is this big topic, this big idea, but once you really get down to it, the meat of the product comes out from the human mind. We are teaching people that you can do AI for whatever you want. It is up to you and up to your creativity.”

As part of its outreach efforts, AI in Real Life fosters intentional discussions about the practical applications of various AI platforms and tools, helping students understand how each can be used in academic and professional contexts.

“AI can be the most beneficial thing for you,” Moriarty said. “I use Perplexity, which is the best for research. I have probably saved myself upwards of 18 hours just in research alone by using Perplexity. ChatGPT is better at Sheets and then Claude is the best for coding right now.”

While promoting AI fluency, the organization also addresses common concerns surrounding the technology, particularly its potential risks when used without proper understanding or oversight.

“I think (AI) can be dangerous because it will either give you a 100% correct or a 100% wrong answer,” Moriarty said. “It is only dangerous in the hands that it is used by…that is why we also talk about news and AI.”

Rob Kissner, Faculty Advisor & Clinical Lecturer

Faculty advisor Rob Kissner noted the club’s contributions to the ongoing discourse surrounding AI, noting that the group is taking a mature approach towards both building fluency and spreading awareness.

“They are taking the ethical implications of this whole thing very seriously and exploring what that's going to mean for their jobs, what that means for learning and what that means for society,” Kissner said. “They are really approaching this from a mature, well-rounded standpoint, and I am proud to see students from engaging in the conversation at a level that I think it needs.”

With the risks of promoting ethical use of AI in mind, the club takes a firm stance against academic dishonesty and emphasizes ethical use of AI tools in coursework.

“We do not condone cheating,” Moriarty said. “AI can be the most beneficial thing for you. If you are using (AI) to blatantly cheat on an assignment, when you are given every answer in a way that you can just use your own brain to formulate together, that is where you are being harmful to yourself.”

Members of AI in Real Life share the belief that developing AI literacy at the undergraduate level will prove beneficial in life beyond the classroom.

“When you graduate college, you are going to use (AI) every day,” Moriarty said. “At least I hope, and I theorize that to be. It's so beneficial for you to look at AI as a resource. So I want to take away this whole outlook of, ‘people who use it are lazy,’ and show that it's actually the opposite.”

AI in Real Life convenes twice each week, using the first meeting as time to collaborate on the club’s ongoing group project and the latter time allocation to work on each member’s individual project.

Winners of the Fall 2025 Iona hackathon, the group successfully created a student-focused AI calendar companion, along with a chatbot plugin compatible with the University’s website.