When Tech Meets Ed with Prof. Jie Ren

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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. 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