Critical Conversations @Soka: AI & The Future of Education and Work

Presented by Soka University of America

Join us for a lively evening exploring the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on our educational and professional landscapes with Kevin Roose & Casey Newton, co-hosts of the award-winning New York Times podcast Hard Fork, and influential data scientist Hilary Mason, co-founder and CEO of Hidden Door. Named to Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People in Business and Fortune’s 40 Under 40, Mason has over 20 years of experience building AI-powered products across diverse industries, and her innovative work at Hidden Door aims to revolutionize gaming by creating interactive story adventures set in beloved fictional worlds. Moderated by Soka alumna Jihii Jolly ‘11, this panel will explore how AI is reshaping education, career paths, and society at large. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to gain insights from leading voices in technology and prepare for the AI-driven future.

Featured Panelists:

• Kevin Roose & Casey Newton: Co-hosts of the award-winning New York Times podcast Hard Fork, recently honored with the “Best Technology” iHeart podcast award. With a combined social media following of over 300k, Kevin is a best-selling author and tech columnist for the New York Times, while Casey publishes the acclaimed Platformer newsletter. They are prominent voices in tech journalism, known for their insightful discussions, interviews with top tech leaders, and engaging humor.
• Hilary Mason: Co-founder and CEO of Hidden Door, a pioneering entertainment platform leveraging generative AI to create interactive story adventures set in beloved fictional worlds. Mason’s work applies AI to revolutionize the gaming industry, allowing users to immerse themselves in their favorite book, movie, or TV show universe. With over 20 years of experience building practical AI-powered products, she is a renowned data scientist and thought leader, frequently contributing to Forbes and TechCrunch. Named to Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People in Business and Fortune’s 40 Under 40, Hilary bridges technical and general audiences, making her a compelling speaker on the future of AI and entertainment.
• Jihii Jolly ‘11 (Moderator): A Soka alumna with a successful podcast and writing career, holding an M.S. in Digital Media from Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism. She has contributed to Columbia Journalism Review, The Atlantic, and Narratively.