When Tech Meets Ed
A Podcast with Professor Jie Ren, PhD
When Tech Meets Ed with Prof. Jie Ren explores how technology— especially AI—is transforming society, education, and the future of work. Through thoughtful conversations with diverse guests from across industries and cultures, the podcast examines technology, not just as a tool, but as a powerful force shaping our skills, identities, values, and collective future.
Podcast Introduction
This episode introduces the theme and scope of the podcast, outlining its focus on how technology, especially artificial intelligence, is reshaping education, society, and the future of work. It sets the tone for thoughtful, cross-disciplinary conversations that explore not only technological innovation, but also its broader human, ethical, and professional implications.
Episode 1 - The Rise of AI Personas
In this episode of "When Tech Meets Ed," Prof. Jie Ren is joined by her PhD advisor, Jeff Nickerson, PhD, to explore the emerging idea of AI personas. From language learning and virtual companionship to creativity, marketing, and entrepreneurship, they discuss how AI personas and agents are being designed, deployed, and integrated into organizations. The conversation also examines what this shift means for human work, the future of entrepreneurship, and how educators can better prepare students for a workplace where human-AI collaboration is becoming the norm.
Episode 2 - AI & Art
In this episode, Prof. Jie Ren is joined by French artist, Tommy Boureaux, for a thoughtful conversation on the intersection of art and AI. They explore how AI-generated art is reshaping artistic creation, authorship, copyright law, and education, and discuss whether AI should be seen as a tool, collaborator, or competitor in redefining what it means to be an artist today.
Episode 3 - Female Entrepreneurship & Tech
As part of the “Women & Tech” series, this episode features a conversation with Heather Darnell, founder of Ask the Boss, about female entrepreneurship in the digital age. She and Prof. Jie Ren explore how technology has shaped her entrepreneurial journey and how evolving tools—especially AI—are transforming business communication and strategy. Darnell also provides her advice for aspiring women founders who seek to leverage tech with confidence and purpose.
Episode 4 - Women & Tech Series: The Networking Dynamics of Women in Tech
As part of the “Women & Tech” series, this episode features a conversation with Sofia Bapna, PhD, associate professor and Lawrence Fellow, Carlson School of Management, on the networking dynamics shaping women’s careers in the tech industry. She and Prof. Jie Rendiscuss the persistent gender gap in the tech industry and the types of organizational support that can help reduce it, drawing upon Bapna’s research on networking and interventions designed to create more equitable professional outcomes.
Listen to Women & Tech Series: The Networking Dynamics of Women in Tech
Also available on
Upcoming Episodes
Bookmark this page and check back frequently to view the latest podcasts
Episode 5:
A Woman's Journey in Tech
Episode 6:
NYC Town & Gown
Episode 7:
NYC Citywide Public Data and Town & Gown Data Analytics
Episode 8:
AI & Creativity
Episode 9:
AI & Cybersecurity