President Aoun tells new students at Northeastern’s Boston convocation to balance AI and human capabilities
“You are in a situation where I am really jealous of you because you are going to shape the future of this society, and you are also going to shape AI,” Aoun told members of the Class of 2029.
President Joseph E. Aoun welcomed members of the “first AI generation” to Northeastern University’s Boston campus on Tuesday, telling first-year students during convocation to balance the capabilities of artificial intelligence and humans in order to “shape the future.”
“You are in a situation where I am really jealous of you because you are going to shape the future of this society, and you are also going to shape AI,” Aoun told members of the Class of 2029.
“What is the common factor, or the common principle, that is going to lead you in this endeavor?” Aoun asked rhetorically. “Always look for the balance between agentic AI and human agency.”
Agentic AI is autonomous artificial intelligence that can perceive, reason, plan and act to achieve goals with minimal human oversight.
The Class of 2029 was officially welcomed to Northeastern University’s Boston campus on Tuesday with a convocation ceremony in Matthews Arena.
The annual ceremony kicks off the school year, offering wisdom and advice, tradition and rousing performances to showcase the Husky experience of experiential learning with real-world impact.
“You are beginning an extraordinary academic journey at one of the world’s leading research universities,” Beth Winkelstein, provost and senior vice president of academic affairs said. “Northeastern students are recognized by their intellectual curiosity, their ambitious spirit and their drive to create impact wherever they go. Whether connecting neuroscience with ethics, software engineering with music or entrepreneurship with environmental justice, we make it possible and we make it real through co-op, research and global learning that goes beyond the classroom.”
The ceremony was full of welcomes and introductions to the Northeastern experience.
Deans from the university’s colleges shared stories of students’ interdisciplinary successes — from an engineering student who built an app to help families track seizures and medications, to a D’Amore-McKim School of Business student who spent a co-op analyzing AI-focused investments and blockchain infrastructure and a College of Science student whose co-op with a local school led to a future as a child psychiatrist.
“At Northeastern, we don’t ask you to choose between passions, we help you connect them,” said Carmen Sceppa, dean of the Bouve College of Health Sciences.
Graduate Andrea Dorta Muñoz, senior technical program manager at Amazon Robotics, praised the Northeastern network of students, faculty and staff, graduates and supporters spread across the globe and on 13 campuses, including in Boston at Matthews Arena.
“Look around you — these are your future collaborators, your future challengers and biggest supporters,” Dorta Muñoz said. “This campus is your launch pad, and the world is your runway. And Class of 2029, you’re clear for takeoff. You’re ready for Northeastern, and Northeastern is most certainly ready for you.”
Following an Indian classic dance performance by NU Malhar, faculty and student leaders took the stage to introduce Northeastern’s extensive opportunities for extracurricular activities, with nearly 600 clubs and student organizations, an entrepreneurial ecosystem and cultural groups.
“Welcome to a place where you’ll find your people, your purpose and your path forward,” said Ken Henderson, chancellor and senior vice president for learning.
Julian Herzing-Burkard, president of the Student Government Association, urged students to explore new interests. He said extracurricular activities, global experiences and co-ops were ways he used to “challenge himself” at Northeastern.
“Many of you may be coming in thinking that you will just continue the same interests from high school — please do not,” Herzing-Burkard said. “Your worst enemy in college is your own comfort zone. College is a clean slate. If you let who you are in high school dictate your future, you’ll miss the opportunity of a lifetime to grow.”
Finally, Aoun took the stage, highlighting the students’ forthcoming education in “humanics.” In his book “Robot Proof: Higher Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” Aoun defines humanics as the integration of three literacies: technological, data and human literacy. This approach enables students to transfer knowledge across domains and adapt to diverse challenges, Aoun said.
“Essentially, you can look at your whole journey here as a journey that will allow you to understand machines and balance AI agency with human agency,” Aoun said.
But he told students they wouldn’t be alone on that journey.
“You’re going to do it with our faculty, colleagues, and with our staff, with your fellow students and with the community at large,” Aoun said. “Welcome to Northeastern.”
Then the ceremonial torch was lit, student performers taught and led the new students in the alma mater and the breadth of talent at Northeastern was showcased during a musical grand finale.
“I didn’t expect all that — it was so cool,” first-year student Elisaveta Steigler said as she exited the auditorium to head to Fall Fest.
Classmate Aidan Henderson agreed.
“I was blown away by it,” Henderson said. “It makes me want to try to do everything that Northeastern has to offer.”
