President Joseph E. Own welcomed members of the “first generation of AI” to Northeastern University's Boston campus on Tuesday, telling first-year students to balance artificial intelligence and human abilities to “shape the future.”
“You're in a situation where I'm really jealous of you because you shape the future of this society. You're also going to shape AI,” Aoun told members of the 2029 class.
“What are the common factors, or common principles that will guide you in this effort?” Aoun asked rhetorically. “Always look for a balance between agent AI and human agents.”
Agent AI is an autonomous artificial intelligence that can recognize, infer and act perception, reason, planning, and actions to achieve goals with minimal human surveillance.
The 2029 class was officially welcomed to Northeastern University's Boston campus at a convening ceremony at Matthews Arena on Tuesday.
The annual ceremony opens the grade and offers performances to showcase wisdom and advice, tradition, and the husky experiences of experimental learning that have real-world impact.
“You are beginning an extraordinary academic journey at one of the world's leading research universities,” says Beswinkelstein, Senior Vice President of Provost and Academic Affairs. “Northeast students are recognized by their intellectual curiosity, ambitious spirit and willingness to create influence wherever they go. Whether they combine ethics, music with software engineering, environmental justice with entrepreneurship, we make it possible and do it through cooperatives, research and global learning.”
The ceremony was filled with welcome and introduction to the Northeast experience.
The dean of the university's university shared stories of students' interdisciplinary success. Local schools are with children, from engineering students who have built an app to help families track seizures and medications, to cooperative business students who have analyzed AI-focused investment and blockchain infrastructure and analysed science students' cooperatives.
“In the northeast, we don't ask you to choose between passions. We help you connect them,” said Carmen Sepa, dean of Boove College of Health Science.
Andrea Dorta Muñoz, senior technical program manager at Amazon Robotics, praised the Northeast network of students, faculty, alumni and supporters that spread across 13 campuses, including Boston at Matthews Arena.
“Look around you – these are your future collaborators, your future challengers and your biggest supporters,” said Dolta Munoz. “This campus is your launchpad, the world is your runway. And the class of 2029, you are clear for takeoff. You are ready for the Northeast, and the Northeast is most certainly ready for you.”
Following the classic Indian dance performance by Nu Malhar, faculty and student leaders took the stage to showcase the wide range of Northeast opportunities for extracurricular activities in nearly 600 clubs and student organizations, entrepreneurial ecosystems and cultural groups.
“Welcome to where you find your people, your purpose and your progress,” said Ken Henderson, Prime Minister and Senior Vice President of Learning.
Julian Helsing Barker, president of the Association of Student Governments, urged students to explore new interests. He said extracurricular activities, global experiences and cooperatives were the methods he used to “challenge himself” in the Northeast.
“Many of you may think you're just continuing the same interest from high school. “The worst enemy in college is your own comfort zone. College is a beautiful slate. If people in high school order your future, you'll miss out on opportunities for lifelong growth.”
Finally, Aoun took the stage to highlight the future education of students in “Humanics.” In his book, Robot Proof: Higher Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, Aoun defines it as the integration of three literacy: technology, data and human literacy. This approach allows students to transfer knowledge across domains and adapt to a wide range of challenges, Aoun said.
“Essentially, we can see the entire journey here as a journey where we understand machines and balance AI agencies with human agents,” Aoun says.
However, he said the students would not be alone on the journey.
“You're going to do that with our faculty, our colleagues, our staff, our fellow students, our community as a whole,” Aoun said. “Welcome to the Northeast.”
A ritual torch was then lit up, student performers taught and guided new students at their alma mater, and the range of Northeastern talent was exhibited at the musical grand finale.
“I wasn't expecting all of it — it was really cool,” said first-year student Elisaveta Steigler as she left the auditorium to head to Fall Fest.
Classmate Aidan Henderson agreed.
“I was blown away by it,” Henderson said. “It makes me want to do everything the Northeast has to offer.”
