Iona University Kicks Off Presidential Speaker Series with Focus on AI Strategy, Governance and Ethical Leadership

Academics News, Lectures & Events, AI@Iona News

New Rochelle, N.Y. – Iona University proudly launched its inaugural Presidential Speaker Series, designed to examine teaching, learning and thinking in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI). 

Sponsored by the newly established Gabelli Center for Teaching & Learning, the speaker series was conceived by President Seamus Carey, Ph.D., as a way to foster conversations with world-renowned speakers about the challenges and opportunities the AI era heralds. 

“This year’s speaker series uses the AI moment to concentrate our attention not just on the emergence of this transformative technology, but on the broader human values and interests it can and must serve,” Carey said. “As we explore the perennial questions of human life, we leverage this moment as an opportunity to engage in thoughtful, critical conversations that I believe will move us forward, both as an institution and as individuals.” 

Kicking off on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, the keynote speaker was Jeffrey Saviano ’89, a Principal with EY and the EY Emerging Technology Strategy & Governance Leader. His talk – entitled “Winning the AI Race: Where Strategy Meets Governance and Ethical Intelligence” – provided a business leader’s insight into how AI is transforming boardroom conversations on strategy, governance and ethics. 

He started his talk with a poignant quote from one of the great musical innovators, David Bowie: “Tomorrow belongs to those who can hear it coming.”

“Just as David Bowie blended genres and pushed the boundaries of music and innovation, your careers will be shaped by AI,” he said to an overflow audience gathered in the LaPenta School of Business. “We’re witnessing this incredible moment where AI is composing the score for innovation.” 

Providing insight into global AI usage, Saviano highlighted both the opportunities and risks of the rapidly evolving technology, especially delving into the ways in which businesses, governments, the workforce and others are responding. 

Citing a recent survey, Saviano said that 75 percent of knowledge workers are using AI in their work today. A year ago, it was at 50 percent. Yet moreover, many people are not telling their bosses about their AI usage and are even utilizing their own devices to access powerful Generative AI tools – which poses tremendous risk for institutions.   

Looking at AI regulatory trends, Saviano cautioned that while many people are looking to governments to provide oversight, he is not expecting a globally consistent and overly restrictive set of government regulations. 

“AI poses several operational, governance and strategic risks,” he said. “There are also certain existential risks that are concerning to many. I think Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, articulated this risk very well: ‘Humans could end up as the family pets as a result of AI.’” 

So, what ethical responsibilities do companies, governments and other leaders have? 

“These are the questions we are facing as a society,” Saviano said. “If we were doctors, we'd be talking about the Hippocratic Oath: ‘First, do no harm.’ I think we need a Hippocratic Oath for AI: “First, do no harm in the world with your AI systems.’”

In closing, Saviano concluded with a quote from another renowned musician, Charlie Parker: “I’m an optimist, but an optimist who carries a raincoat.” 

“That’s how I feel about AI,” Saviano said. “I’m optimistic, but I don’t forget about the risks that it poses. So be an optimist – but carry your raincoat.” 

Saviano, who has an appointment with the Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University, is also a Research Affiliate with the MIT Sociotechnical Systems Research Center; a faculty member at the Boston University School of Law; and host of the Better Innovation podcast. He holds an LL.M degree in Taxation from Boston University School of Law; JD degree from Syracuse University College of Law and a BBA degree in Accounting from Iona University.

Learn more about upcoming events in the Presidential Speaker Series here.

Mr. Saviano speaking to two students.
Mr. Saviano speaking to Jim Mustich.
Mr. Saviano with the audience in the foreground.

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 nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of more than 50,000 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 Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona is widely recognized in prestigious rankings, including The Princeton Review’s 2025 national list of “The Best 390 Colleges” and The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse’s “2024 Best Colleges in America,” which ranked Iona at #66 in the nation overall and #8 in the nation among Catholic schools. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just six percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review recognized Iona’s on-campus MBA program as a “Best Business School for 2023.” Iona also offers a fully online MBA program for even greater flexibility. In July 2021, Iona announced the establishment of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, which is now principally located on Iona’s Bronxville campus in collaboration with NewYork-Presbyterian. Connecting to its Irish heritage, the University also recently announced it is expanding abroad with a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland. 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.