Some academic immersions are best reflected upon after distance creates clarity. Our four-day faculty program at Santa Clara University (SCU), held from October 14–17, 2025, was exactly this – a profound experience set right at the intersection of Jesuit values and Silicon Valley dynamism. Two months later, the insights gained continue to shape my perspective on AI, leadership, and responsibility in education.

AI: The Collaborator, Not the Competitor

The prevailing theme across all sessions was clear: AI is not a threat, but a collaborator. A compelling session with Prof. Tammy Madsen and Prof. Anita Lynch, moderated by Dr. Nydia MacGregor, unpacked how AI is reshaping strategy and management education. Their conclusion was critical: while routine tasks may automate, uniquely human skills—judgment, curiosity, and strategic thinking—remain irreplaceable.

Cutting Through the Hype: Legal and Ethical Accountability

The most grounding session was at the High Tech Law Institute. Meri Baldwin, Hilary Gerzhoy, and Afton Pavletic cut through the AI hype to address critical, immediate challenges: the environmental footprint of AI infrastructure, the legal risks arising from AI hallucinations, and the urgent need for accountability in algorithmic decision-making.

Evolving Pedagogy in the GenAI Era

How do we teach when students have powerful tools like GenAI? A thought-provoking panel moderated by Dr. On Shun Pak, alongside Brian Green, Jackie Hendricks, and Eric Haynie, explored this question.

Impact and Integration

Beyond AI, SCU’s community-integrated model was a key learning:

• Social Entrepreneurship: The Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship, through insights from Eli Latmerlo and Dr. Leslie Gray, showcased how ethical values drive global social impact. Dr. Drew Starbird’s work with MOBI further demonstrated the democratization of entrepreneurship education.
• Career Integration: Discussions with Ray Chan and Amy Fairbrother focused on corporate outreach and career readiness, while sitting in on Prof. Kumar Sarangee’s Evening MBA class offered a grounded view of teaching strategy and leadership to working professionals.
• Innovation Beyond Silicon Valley: Our visit to Calorify in Scotts Valley with Sriram Sundararajan and Karl Etzel highlighted the expanding innovation landscape, showing how biotech is emerging alongside software and AI.

Grateful for the leadership of Dean Ed Grier, Sriram Sundararajan, and the entire SCU team for their generosity and depth of engagement. SCU is a potent reminder that being in Silicon Valley is about using technical innovation and capital in service of society.

Thank you, ATLAS leadership, for this opportunity.