Wentworth Hosts AI Alliance Meetup to Explore Future of Work and Responsible Innovation

As artificial intelligence continues to redefine the job market, the question isn't simply what the technology can do, but what human skills will matter most. This theme took center stage as Wentworth Institute of Technology welcomed the Boston AI Alliance for a recent meet-up event on campus.  

Hosted by the School of Data and Computing Science, the event brought together a diverse group of founders, engineers, researchers, and students to explore two pivotal themes: the intersection of AI and the future of work, and the necessity of responsible open data in agent development. 

The evening was divided into two distinct panels, offering attendees a blend of industry forecasting and technical ethics. 

Redefining the Workplace 

The first panel, "AI and the Future of Work," featured a unique mix of perspectives, placing a current student alongside seasoned industry executives. Jason Dank (Executive Vice President of Wentworth Student Government) joined Max Rollinger (Head of Partnerships at Turing) and Elton Lossner (Co-Founder & COO at Hazel) for a discussion moderated by Ian Cain of QUBIC Labs. 

The group explored how automation and digital transformation are reshaping organizational models and the specific tools new graduates need to survive in an evolving market. 

Reflecting on the event, Dank noted that the conversation went beyond technical proficiency. 

"We touched on entrepreneurship, navigating an uncertain job market, and most importantly, the human skills that matter when AI can handle so much of the technical work," Dank shared on social media. "I walked away inspired by how many people in Boston are not just building AI—but building responsible, thoughtful, human-centered AI." 

Trust and Transparency in Data 

Following the discussion on workforce evolution, the focus shifted to the technical scaffolding of AI. The second panel, "Responsible Open Data for Open Models and Agents," examined how the quality and openness of data are critical for trustworthy AI systems. 

Agata Ferretti, AI Alliance Lead at IBM, moderated the session. The panel featured Wentworth Associate Professor Yetunde Folajimi alongside Ellen Grant (Harvard Medical School) and Dima Ayyash (Co-Founder, Pebble). 

Together, they discussed frameworks for governing open datasets and methods to benchmark AI agents for safety and security—key considerations as AI agents become increasingly capable of tackling domain-specific problems in fields like healthcare and software development. 

Building a Community 

The event underscored the School of Computing and Data Sciences' commitment to connecting academic preparation with real-world innovation. Dank credited Dean Mike Farmer for helping to create a space where these vital conversations can happen. 

"Boston’s AI community is something special," said Dank. 

The AI Alliance is a non-profit, grassroots community of over 150 companies and researchers dedicated to fostering open innovation and defining the future of AI. 

Find more photos from the event by clicking below.