IT Summit focuses on balancing AI challenges and opportunities
Michael D. Smith and Klara Jelinkova at the IT Summit.Photo by Neal Adolph Akatsuka Campus & Community IT Summit focuses on balancing AI challenges and opportunities With the tech here to stay, Michael Smith says professors, students must become sophisticated users Roselyn Hobbs Harvard Correspondent July 7, 2025 4 min read Exploring the critical role of technology in advancing Harvard’s mission and the potential of generative AI to reshape the academic and operational landscape were the key topics discussed during University’s 12th annual IT Summit. Hosted by the CIO Council, the June 11 event attracted more than 1,000 Harvard IT professionals. “Technology underpins every aspect of Harvard,” said Klara Jelinkova, vice president and University chief information officer, who opened the event by praising IT staff for their impact across the University. That sentiment was echoed by keynote speaker Michael D. Smith, the John H. Finley Jr. Professor of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Harvard University Distinguished Service Professor, who described...