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.
Publisher
Jie Ren, Gabelli School of Business, Fordham University
In this episode of When Tech Meets Ed with Prof. Jie Ren, Prof. Jie Ren speaks with Prof. Maria Mercedes (Didith) T. Rodrigo of Ateneo de Manila University about AI equity in learning across cultures. Drawing on Prof. Rodrigo’s research in the learning sciences and her experience in the Philippines, they discuss the adoption of AI in education, how educators can balance the use of AI with the need to build foundational skills, and why culture matters in the design of AI-powered learning tools. The conversation also touches on growing concerns about the risks of AI, as well as New York City’s recent restrictions on AI use in early education. Finally, they explore how learners from Western and collectivist cultures may engage with AI differently and consider what a more equitable and culturally responsible future for AI in education could look like.
Host and Executive Producer: Jie Ren
Producer: Olakunle Davies
Additional Production: Victoria Ilano, Jeffrey Haynes
Cover Art: Paola Curcio-Kleinman
Artwork: ”Emotion and Logic” by Jie Ren
Marketing: Paola Curcio-Kleinman
Music: ”The Epic Hero” by Keys of Moon
24 Sept 2026
AI & the Environment from an Economic Perspective
Correction: At 31:04, Prof. Jie Ren says ”long-term economic impact”; the correct phrase is ”long-term environmental impact.”
As part of our NYC Climate Week special series, AI & the Environment, Prof. Jie Ren continues the conversation by exploring the environmental impact of AI from an economic perspective with Dr. Marc Conte, Professor of Economics at Fordham University. Together, they discuss the concept of externalities and how it applies to AI and the environmental costs associated with data centers and AI infrastructure. They also examine the role of carbon pricing and energy availability in shaping the future of AI development, offering practical insights on how we can balance technological innovation with environmental sustainability.
Host and Executive Producer: Jie Ren
Producer: Olakunle Davies
Additional Production: Victoria Ilano, Jeffrey Haynes
Cover Art: Paola Curcio-Kleinman
Artwork: ”Emotion and Logic” by Jie Ren
Marketing: Paola Curcio-Kleinman
Music: ”The Epic Hero” by Keys of Moon
18 Sept 2026
AI & the Environment from a Legal Perspective
In this NYC Climate Week special series of When Tech Meets Ed with Prof. Jie Ren, Prof. Jie Ren speaks with Dr. Adam Orford, a Fordham University law professor and expert in environmental law, about the environmental challenges of AI. They discuss how laws and regulations shape technological innovation, the environmental impact of AI infrastructure such as data centers, and how policymakers can balance AI development with environmental sustainability.
Host and Executive Producer: Jie Ren
Producer: Olakunle Davies
Additional Production: Victoria Ilano, Jeffrey Haynes
Cover Art: Paola Curcio-Kleinman
Artwork: ”Emotion and Logic” by Jie Ren
Marketing: Paola Curcio-Kleinman
Music: ”The Epic Hero” by Keys of Moon
10 Sept 2026
Fashion Modeling in the Age of AI
In this NYC Fashion Week special episode of When Tech Meets Ed with Prof. Jie Ren, Prof. Jie Ren speaks with Yiran (Joy) Guo, a fashion model and Yale computer science graduate, about fashion modeling in the age of AI. They discuss Joy’s journey into modeling, her experiences at NYC Fashion Week, the rise of AI-generated models and digital avatars, and how AI is reshaping opportunities for models, designers, and the broader fashion industry. The conversation also explores the future of modeling and the importance of thinking outside the box when pursuing new opportunities.
Host and Executive Producer: Jie Ren
Producer: Olakunle Davies
Additional Production: Victoria Ilano, Jeffrey Haynes
Cover Art: Paola Curcio-Kleinman
Artwork: ”Emotion and Logic” by Jie Ren
Marketing: Paola Curcio-Kleinman
Music: ”The Epic Hero” by Keys of Moon
10 Aug 2026
AI Deployment at Multinational Organizations
In this episode of When Tech Meets Ed, Prof. Jie Ren speaks with Jorge Martinez Navarrete, an Information Technology Officer at the United Nations, about the complexities of deploying AI in large, multinational organizations. They explore his career journey, experiences implementing technology systems, and the evolving policies and governance frameworks that guide tech deployment. The conversation highlights how AI differs from traditional systems, its impact on organizational operations, varying levels of adoption across departments, and key challenges such as data privacy and the choice between open- and closed-source solutions. The episode also offers practical advice for students preparing to enter the workforce in the age of AI.
Host and Executive Producer: Jie Ren
Producers: Olakunle Davies, Hector Madera Jr.
Additional Production: Victoria Ilano, Jeffrey Haynes
Cover Art: Paola Curcio-Kleinman
Artwork: ”Emotion and Logic” by Jie Ren
Marketing: Paola Curcio-Kleinman
Music: ”The Epic Hero” by Keys of Moon
8 Jul 2026
Looking at Technology Through the Consequence Lens with Dr. Mark Silver
In this episode of When Tech Meets Ed, Prof. Jie Ren sits down with Dr. Mark Silver to explore technology through what he calls ”The Consequence Lens.” Together, they discuss how technological advancements, from past digital transformations to today’s AI, shape and are shaped by both individual behavior and society at large. The conversation highlights the active role users play in adopting and employing technology and examines the trade-offs between benefits and (often unintended) negative consequences, such as privacy violations. Drawing on real-world examples, they offer practical insights and guidance for students and professionals to think more critically about the broader implications of the technologies they use and how they use them.
Host and Executive Producer: Jie Ren
Producer: Olakunle Davies
Additional Production: Victoria Ilano, Jeffrey Haynes
Cover Art: Paola Curcio-Kleinman
Artwork: ”Emotion and Logic” by Jie Ren
Marketing: Paola Curcio-Kleinman
Music: ”The Epic Hero” by Keys of Moon
23 Jun 2026
AI & Cybersecurity
In this episode, Prof. Jie Ren is joined by cybersecurity expert Dr. Shoufu Luo to explore the evolving intersection of AI and cybersecurity, particularly in detection and response. They discuss how AI is used in both defensive and offensive contexts across industries, the growing role of social engineering and human factors, whether AI can replace human judgment in security, and how students can prepare for cybersecurity careers in the age of AI.
Host and Executive Producer: Jie Ren
Producer: Olakunle Davies
Additional Production: Victoria Ilano, Jeffrey Haynes
Cover Art: Paola Curcio-Kleinman
Artwork: ”Emotion and Logic” by Jie Ren
Marketing: Paola Curcio-Kleinman
Music: ”The Epic Hero” by Keys of Moon
26 May 2026
AI & Creativity
In this episode, Prof. Jie Ren is joined by creativity expert Dr. Kai Wang to explore the intersection of AI and creativity. They discuss what creativity truly means beyond the arts, why it matters in everyday problem-solving and innovation, how AI can augment creative work while keeping humans in the loop, and what advice students can follow to cultivate creativity in the age of AI.
Host and Executive Producer: Jie Ren
Producer: Olakunle Davies
Additional Production: Hector Madera Jr., Victoria Ilano, Jeffrey Haynes
Cover Art: Paola Curcio-Kleinman
Artwork: ”Emotion and Logic” by Jie Ren
Marketing: Paola Curcio-Kleinman
Music: ”The Epic Hero” by Keys of Moon
1 May 2026
NYC Citywide Public Data and Town & Gown Data Analytics
In this episode, Prof. Jie Ren speaks with Will Hisao from NYC Mayor’s Office of Operations, about the vision behind citywide public data dashboards, the challenges of managing large-scale, multi-agency datasets, and how public data can drive transparency, insight, and cross-sector collaboration. She is also joined by MSBA students, Faris Al-Dhahi, Amogha Manchinahalli Srikanta, and Kamrul Islam, who share their hands-on experiences working with real NYC datasets - reflecting on site visits, analytical methods, technical skills, and how applied public-sector projects deepened their understanding of city operations and data- driven decision-making.
Host and Executive Producer: Jie Ren
Producer: Olakunle Davies
Additional Production: Hector Madera Jr., Victoria Ilano, Jeffrey Haynes
Cover Art: Paola Curcio-Kleinman
Artwork: ”Emotion and Logic” by Jie Ren
Marketing: Paola Curcio-Kleinman
Music: ”The Epic Hero” by Keys of Moon
27 Apr 2026
Town+Gown NYC Program
In this episode, Prof. Jie Ren speaks with Terri Matthews, Director of Town+Gown: NYC @ NYC DDC, a citywide research program in the built environment, about how Town+Gown connects student-led experiential learning programs at academic institutions, like Fordham University, with NYC agencies with real research needs. These projects help tackle real-world public-sector challenges through evidence-based research. Together, Prof. Ren and Terri Matthews discussed how insights from student-led research projects may play into practice and policy changes over time, the technical and soft skills needed by students for impactful civic analytics, and how AI adoption is reshaping expectations for the next generation of students and public-sector analysts.
Host and Executive Producer: Jie Ren
Producer: Olakunle Davies
Additional Production: Victoria Ilano, Jeffrey Haynes
Cover Art: Paola Curcio-Kleinman
Artwork: ”Emotion and Logic” by Jie Ren
Marketing: Paola Curcio-Kleinman
Music: ”The Epic Hero” by Keys of Moon
31 Mar 2026
Women & Tech Series: A Woman's Journey in Tech
In this episode of “When Tech Meets Ed,” Prof. Jie Ren sits down with Yilu Zhou, PhD, to explore Zhou’s personal journey as a woman in tech. They discuss overcoming stereotypes, navigating imposter syndrome, and breaking the glass ceiling. The conversation also examines how AI is reshaping the workforce and what family support is needed to reduce the gender gap.
Host and Executive Producer: Jie Ren
Producer: Olakunle Davies
Additional Production: Victoria Ilano, Jeffrey Haynes
Cover Art: Paola Curcio-Kleinman
Artwork: ”Emotion and Logic” by Jie Ren
Marketing: Paola Curcio-Kleinman
Music: ”The Epic Hero” by Keys of Moon
26 Mar 2026
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 Ren discuss 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.
Host and Executive Producer: Jie Ren
Producer: Olakunle Davies
Additional Production: Victoria Ilano, Jeffrey Haynes
Cover Art: Paola Curcio-Kleinman
Artwork: ”Emotion and Logic” by Jie Ren
Marketing: Paola Curcio-Kleinman
Music: ”The Epic Hero” by Keys of Moon
16 Mar 2026
Women & Tech Series: 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.
Host and Executive Producer: Jie Ren
Producer: Olakunle Davies
Additional Production: Victoria Ilano, Jeffrey Haynes
Cover Art: Paola Curcio-Kleinman
Artwork: ”Emotion and Logic” by Jie Ren
Marketing: Michelle Livingston
Music: ”The Epic Hero” by Keys of Moon
3 Mar 2026
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.
Host and Executive Producer: Jie Ren
Producer: Olakunle Davies
Additional Production: Victoria Ilano, Jeffrey Haynes
Cover Art: Paola Curcio-Kleinman
Artwork: ”Emotion and Logic” by Jie Ren
Marketing: Michelle Livingston
Music: ”The Epic Hero” by Keys of Moon
3 Mar 2026
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.
Host and Executive Producer: Jie Ren
Producer: Olakunle Davies
Additional Production: Victoria Ilano, Jeffrey Haynes
Cover Art: Paola Curcio-Kleinman
Artwork: ”Emotion and Logic” by Jie Ren
Marketing: Michelle Livingston
Music: ”The Epic Hero” by Keys of Moon
2 Mar 2026
Intro
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.
Host and Executive Producer: Jie Ren
Producer: Olakunle Davies
Additional Production: Victoria Ilano, Jeffrey Haynes
Cover Art: Paola Curcio-Kleinman
Artwork: ”Emotion and Logic” by Jie Ren
Marketing: Michelle Livingston
Music: ”The Epic Hero” by Keys of Moon
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