FROM THE NEST | SPRING 2026 | 7 health inequities by bringing the power of behavior change to the urgent challenge of chronic diseases. In her words, AI has incredible potential not just to scale coaching, but to empower people to understand and improve themselves. Huffington stressed that the limiting factor in harnessing AI’s power is often human nature itself: our habits, motivations and emotional lives. “It’s really important to remember that we can’t place all our bets on the machines,” she reminded the audience. “Human beings are not just machines.” During both the main event and a pre-event question-and-answer session with students, she emphasized the irreplaceability of human creativity, wisdom and ethical judgment. At a time when it’s becoming more challenging to distinguish AI-generated content from human-created content, Huffington encouraged critical thinking and the cultivation of uniquely human capacities. Senator Dave McCormick on Economy, Ethics and Leadership Transitioning to broader social and economic landscapes, Senator Dave McCormick spoke at Lehigh in December 2025 about how artificial intelligence fits into the future of innovation, energy and policy, particularly in Pennsylvania and across the U.S. A significant part of his discussion centered on Pennsylvania’s strategic strengths: robust energy production, particularly nuclear power; a skilled and experienced workforce; and proximity to major metropolitan corridors. McCormick highlighted his role in convening the Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit, which gathered leaders from sectors including technology, labor and higher education to explore pathways that position the Commonwealth as an AI and energy hub. With more than $90 billion in private-sector investments announced around infrastructure and workforce development, he said Pennsylvania is poised to compete globally. McCormick stressed that universities are at the center of this journey. “I don’t think it’s an accident that the greatest pockets of innovation in our country are organized around universities,” he said, noting the importance of research, talent development and interdisciplinary collaboration. Yet McCormick didn’t shy away from the uncertainties that accompany AI’s rise. He expressed concern about issues such as energy costs for consumers, potential job displacement and the need for ethical and regulatory frameworks that both protect society and preserve space for innovation. While federal guidelines and legislation are beginning to take shape, he cautioned against overregulation that could stifle progress before its full benefits can be realized. Steve Wozniak’s Tech-Informed Stance on Computers and AI Programming for the 2025-2026 academic year concluded with technology pioneer Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, whose remarks blended reflections on the evolution of computing and the future of AI. Wozniak recounted his early fascination with electronics, his collaboration with Steve Jobs and the creation of the Apple I personal computer. He spoke fondly of engineering challenges and the creativity that defined Silicon Valley’s early days, and shared stories of playful pranks that reflected his curiosity and irreverent spirit. Turning to artificial intelligence, Wozniak said AI systems analyze vast amounts of data and generate responses based on probability. Humans, by contrast, bring context, intuition and lived experience to problem-solving. “I’ve always been for the human over the technology,” Wozniak said. “As a human, you can solve things. That makes the human more important. If the technology is more important, the human has to learn all these different ways to do things to use the technology.” Together, the three speakers offered a multidimensional view of artificial intelligence, from the deeply personal to the geopolitical. The conversations reflected the series’ guiding theme: that the future of AI will be determined by the values, institutions and individuals who guide its development. President Joseph J. Helble ’82 and Senator Dave McCormick engaged in a conversation about AI innovation and the ethical and societal implications of AI. JORDAN GRUBER / CHRISTA NEU Steve Wozniak
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