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.
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Upcoming Episodes
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Episode 3.1:
Female Entrepreneurship & Tech
Episode 3.2:
The Networking Dynamics of Women in Tech
Episode 3.3:
A Woman's Journey in Tech
Episode 4.1:
NYC Town & Gown
Episode 4.2:
NYC Citywide Public Data and Town & Gown Data Analytics
Episode 5:
AI & Creativity
Episode 6:
AI & Cybersecurity