Leaders from universities, policy, and technology sectors gathered at Pace University’s New York City campus on March 24 for an international conference titled “Intelligent Futures: The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Shaping Universities and Higher Education.” The event was organized by the World University Leaders Forum in partnership with O.P. Jindal Global University.
The conference focused on how artificial intelligence is changing teaching, research, governance, and student life at universities around the world. Attendees discussed the importance of developing ethical frameworks and responsible oversight as AI becomes more common in higher education settings.
“Artificial intelligence has come to stay, and we cannot ignore it,” said Rajesh Bindal, Judge of the Supreme Court of India. “The challenge before universities is to ensure it is used responsibly, with clear policies and thoughtful governance.”
Keynote speeches and panel discussions explored topics such as AI’s impact on humanities fields like philosophy and law; changes to curriculum design; assessment methods; accessibility; data governance; regulatory issues; and leadership accountability. C. Raj Kumar, Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University said: “AI is fundamentally reshaping how knowledge is created, shared, and governed. Universities must lead with a global vision, developing frameworks that balance innovation with accountability while safeguarding academic integrity and public trust.”
Panelists included university presidents, deans from various institutions including Pace’s Dyson College of Arts and Science as well as experts from Brooklyn College, Drexel University, Manhattanville University, QS Quacquarelli Symonds, Data Strategy Advisors LLC., among others. Discussions were moderated by leaders such as Marvin Krislov (President of Pace), David Sachs (professor at Seidenberg School), Li-Chiou Chen (interim dean at Seidenberg School), reflecting interdisciplinary perspectives.
“You can’t manage what you can’t see,” said Ericka Watson of Data Strategy Advisors LLC. “Institutions need clear visibility into what AI tools are being used… Before you can govern AI, you need to understand your risk…”
The event also saw participation from Binaya Srikanta Pradhan (Consul General of India in New York) highlighting its international reach.
“Convenings like Intelligent Futures show the importance of bringing together diverse global perspectives to tackle complex challenges,” said President Krislov. “At Pace we are committed to advancing AI literacy…and preparing our students to lead in an AI-enabled world.”
As part of its ongoing commitment to innovation in technology education—and reflecting broader trends—the university announced a new bachelor’s degree program in artificial intelligence launching fall 2026.
