Shaping the Future: Higher Education, AI and the Future of Work
Shaping the Future: Higher Education, AI and the Future of Work
WBUR CitySpace, Boston, MA
Thursday, November 5, 2026
9am - 12pm
Embedded Files
This program will bring together leaders in higher education and industry to discuss the ways colleges and universities are preparing students to navigate the opportunities and challenges of AI, and how AI is transforming the future of work.
Reception and Registration
Reception and Registration
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM
Welcome
Welcome
Paula A. Johnson
President, Wellesley CollegePaula A. Johnson
Featured Speaker
Featured Speaker
Eric Paley
Secretary of the Executive Office of Economic DevelopmentEric Paley
An address on higher education’s role preparing students for the future – and the importance of building pipelines between higher education and employers.
Panel: The Future of Work in the Age of AI
Panel: The Future of Work in the Age of AI
As AI transitions into a more active role within organizations and industries of the future, what will the world of work look like and what skills will it need? This panel explores how forward-thinking leaders are redefining workforce strategy to navigate the rewards and hazards presented by AI.
Moderator:
Tiziana Dearing
Host, Morning EditionTiziana Dearing
Panelists:
Janet Foutty
President of Employer Partnerships, RAISE USJanet Foutty
Julie Jones ’91
Chair, Ropes & GrayJulie Jones ’91
Dr. Reshma Kewalramani
CEO and President, Vertex PharmaceuticalsDr. Reshma Kewalramani
Video Message
Video Message
Daniela Amodei
President, AnthropicDaniela Amodei
Anthropic President Daniela Amodei will address the imperative of unlocking AI's potential while mitigating risks and speak to higher education's role in educating leaders ready to navigate these challenges.
Panel: Higher Education 2.0: Educating Ethical Leaders
Panel: Higher Education 2.0: Educating Ethical Leaders
This panel will explore how institutions of higher education can educate ethical and AI fluent leaders. It will explore what higher education can do to educate a future workforce that will need to interact with both the opportunities and challenges that AI presents.
Moderator:
Paula A. Johnson
President, Wellesley CollegePaula A. Johnson
Panelists:
D. Graham Burnett
Professor of History, Princeton University D. Graham Burnett
Sally Kornbluth
President, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sally Kornbluth
Orit Shaer
Professor of Computer Science, Wellesley CollegeOrit Shaer
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