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          2025 Government Affairs Forum | State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg

          Don’t miss our upcoming Government Affairs Forum with Massachusetts State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg.

          12/09/2025

          9:45am - 11:00am

          Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

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Boston Chamber
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          Engage & Learn

          Explore opportunities to connect and grow.

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        • FEATURED EVENT

          ...
          Series
          2025 Government Affairs Forum | State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg

          Don’t miss our upcoming Government Affairs Forum with Massachusetts State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg.

          12/09/2025

          9:45am - 11:00am

          Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • EXPLORE OUR PROGRAMMING:

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          • Economic Inclusion
          • Small Business & Entrepreneurship
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          City Awake

          City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.

          Read More
          Boston’s Future Leaders

          Our Boston’s Future Leaders (BFL) program provides emerging leaders with a socially conscious and civically engaged leadership toolkit, as well as the opportunity to apply their knowledge through experiential assignments.

          Read More
          Massachusetts Apprentice Network

          The Massachusetts Apprentice Network convenes employers, training providers, and talent sources interested in developing and implementing apprenticeship programs in occupations across industries and statewide in fields such as tech, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and more.

          Read More
          Strategic Communication for Better Collaboration

          Level up your leadership and communication in this Boston Chamber workshop for professionals—gain essential skills in team alignment.

          Read More
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          The Chamber Foundation invites the business community to engage with Boston Public Schools leaders and their students to help build the future workforce.

          Read More
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AI Advantage Logo with Comcast

Building an AI-Ready Workforce in Higher Education

January 21, 2025 9:30 am – 11:00 am Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

Event Details

  • Thank you for joining us for our first event of the year as part of the Chamber’s newest series, AI Advantage.
  • Attendees heard from Northeastern University’s President, Joseph E. Aoun, as he discusses the key themes of his book Robot-Proof: Higher Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.

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  • Free and open to the public
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AI Advantage: Building an AI-Ready Workforce in Higher Education

Thank you for joining us for an insightful conversation with Northeastern University President, Joseph E. Aoun, and the President and CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, James E. Rooney, as a part of our AI Advantage: Leading the Commonwealth Forward series. They explored key themes from President Aoun’s book, Robot-Proof: Higher Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, including the future of work, the necessity for education reform, and the evolving landscape of AI.

In this transformative event, President Aoun shared his vision for how to prepare students to be “robot-proof,” ensuring they are equipped with skills that technology cannot replace. The conversation dove into the Chamber’s perspective on how AI is shaping business landscapes, economic growth, and policy decisions in Greater Boston.

This dynamic dialogue offered invaluable insights into how the business community, higher education systems, and individuals can adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world.

ABOUT THE AI ADVANTAGE SERIES

The ongoing AI revolution is significantly influencing the region’s businesses, workforce, and economy. As the leading voice of the business community, the Chamber is dedicated to ensuring Massachusetts remains at the forefront of AI innovation both nationally and globally, cementing its role in this technological transformation.

The AI Advantage series will offer a platform to discuss the many opportunities presented by the AI revolution and the impact of advanced technology on the business community and our region. This series will enhance awareness among the audience. The Chamber is uniquely positioned to unite leaders from all communities and industries, leveraging our relationships to convene the business community on this critical issue affecting employees and employers daily.
Sponsor the Series

Questions? Contact us.

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Staff
Angelica Medina

Senior Program Manager

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

Email Angelica

Watch the Event Replay

Boston Chamber AI Series

Speakers

Auon HS
Joseph E. Aoun

President, Northeastern University

Joseph E. Aoun, a well-known higher education thought leader and renowned scholar in linguistics, is the seventh President of Northeastern University. An…Read more
Joseph E. Aoun, a well-known higher education thought leader and renowned scholar in linguistics, is the seventh President of Northeastern University.

An internationally respected voice on the value of higher education, President Aoun has led the global expansion of Northeastern’s signature co-op program, bringing experiential learning opportunities to more than 140 countries. During his tenure, the University has created a global university system spanning 13 campuses across North America and the UK, increased external research funding sevenfold, and hired more than 800 tenured and tenure-track faculty.

He is the author of numerous articles and books, including Robot-Proof: Higher Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. In the book’s second edition, he expands on his initial blueprint for colleges and universities to meet the challenges and opportunities associated with the transformative effects of artificial intelligence.

President Aoun received his Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and advanced degrees from the University of Paris VIII (France) and Saint Joseph University (Beirut, Lebanon).

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Jim Rooney Headshot
James E. Rooney

President & CEO, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

James E. Rooney is President & CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, the region’s most influential business association. With Rooney’s…Read more
James E. Rooney is President & CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, the region’s most influential business association.

With Rooney’s commitment and leadership, the Greater Boston Chamber is now the leading convener, voice, and advocate for the region. Strategizing with government leaders, private companies, and public institutions to strengthen the state’s competitiveness, Rooney advances the future of commerce with public policies and legislation that champions dynamic and resilient people, communities, and workplaces. Before leading the Chamber, Rooney served as executive director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA), overseeing the development and construction of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC) while leading the management teams of four MCCA-owned facilities. Prior, Rooney served two years as Chief of Staff to Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, chairing the Mayor’s cabinet to move forward all aspects of city governance.

Rooney started his public career at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), starting as a track laborer and ending as Deputy General Manager. He served one year as the MBTA’s Acting General Manager during a gubernatorial transition. Using his transportation financing expertise, Rooney led one of the nation’s largest transportation projects, the $15 billion “Big Dig” Central Artery highway project, and he served as Chief Financial Officer at the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority. Rooney serves in leadership positions on several boards of directors, including the Committee of 100 at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the Association of Chambers of Commerce Executives (ACCE), Board Member of the National Association of Corporate Directors, New England (NACDNE), Co-Chair of the Madison Park Steering Committee, and Member of the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC). Rooney continues to be recognized for his professional and civic contributions, including being named to the list of 100 Most Influential Bostonians by Boston Magazine numerous times, receiving the City of Boston Lifetime Achievement Award for advocacy of the immigrant community, and he was honored with the PCMA Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the global meetings industry.

Born and raised in South Boston, Rooney attended the prestigious Boston Latin School, where he served as President of his graduating class. He graduated from Harvard College with a bachelor’s degree in economics and attended the Boston University Graduate School of Management.

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In the News

CITY OF BOSTON

Boston using Google AI for Traffic Optimization

Google and the City of Boston are teaming up to make traffic better. The partnership with Google’s Project Green Light hopes to improve timing at traffic lights and the flow of cars, trucks and buses at problem intersections.

AXIOS

Babson’s AI MathBot Aims to Close Learning Gaps

Babson College is using an AI-driven tool to help students with math. Colleges nationwide are seeing students struggle with math, likely as a result of learning loss during the COVID-19 pandemic, says Patty Patria, Babson’s chief information officer. The MathBot, a generative AI tool that Babson created with Microsoft and Terawe, could help their students catch up.

THE BOSTON GLOBE

AI May Not Steal Many Jobs After All

The experience at some companies suggests that AI may not prove to be the job killer that many people fear. Similar to breakthroughs of the past like the steam engine, electricity, the Internet, it may eliminate some jobs while creating others. And probably making workers more productive in general, to the eventual benefit of themselves, their employers, and the economy.

BOSTON BUSINESS JOURNAL

3 Takeaways on AI from HubSpot’s Inbound Event

HubSpot Inc. knows its small business customers — companies with up to 2,000 employees — are struggling to grow. Its solution? Artificial intelligence.

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The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce encourages persons with disabilities to participate, and engage fully, in its programs and events.

If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation, including but not limited to, listening devices, closed captioning, large print, wheelchair access, allergies and environmental sensitivities, or if you have any questions about the venue, event format, or virtual platform, please contact us at [email protected].

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