The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University’s LALSA Moot Court Teams took home first and second place in this year’s 17th Annual National Latina/Latino Law Student Association (NLLSA) Moot Court Competition. The Competition, held over the course of two days in Puerto Rico, is organized by NLLSA. Haub Law sent two teams to compete this year and in an exciting final round, the two Haub Law teams versed one another, ultimately finishing as the top two teams.

“This year’s Haub Law teams were well-prepared and excellent competitors,” said Angelica Cancel ’17, one of the team’s coaches. “To have our two teams take home first and second place is an honor and a testament to the dedication of the student advocates.” The Haub Law Teams consisted of Samantha Portillo (3L) and Kaitlyn Cepeda (2L) on one team and Francesca Rocha (2L) and Emanuel Yax (3L) on the other team. Samantha and Kaitlyn’s team, coached by Michael Pabon ’22, finished in first, with Francesca and Emanuel’s team, coached by Angelica Cancel ’17, in second. Additionally, Francesca Rocha (2L) won the Top Oralist Award – Appellant.

“I am so grateful to have had the experience of traveling to Puerto Rico for this competition with my Haub Law teammates,” LALSA Moot Court Team member Samantha Portillo (3L). “We prepared for months leading up to the competition and it is rewarding to see that hard work pay off with the results.” Haub Law has a strong history with NLLSA and the NLLSA Competition. Several Haub Law students have served on the executive board of NLLSA in the past. Currently, there are four Haub Law students on NLLSA’s executive board for the 2024–2025 academic year. Haub Law student Samara Pizarro ‘25 is the NLLSA Attorney General and assisted in writing this year’s competition fact pattern. Additionally, Haub Law students Henry Rodriguez (2L), Joesph Martinez (3L), Jalice Zea-Roman (3L) are members of the NLLSA executive board.

“This was a tremendous accomplishment for our teams and coaches,” said Professor Louis Fasulo, Director of Advocacy Programs and Professor of Trial Practice. “The work and strategy along with the excellent argument made by the competitors led to both of our teams being recognized. Our victory here reflects the first time our teams received both champion and finalist recognition. The results speak volumes on the quality of our program and the dedication of all. I am very Pace Proud!”

Artificial intelligence has transformed nearly every facet of modern life—shaping the way we work, communicate, and even think. But for all its advancements, AI is often viewed through a lens of cold efficiency, an impersonal force that automates rather than empowers. At Pace University, however, a growing number of researchers and educators are proving otherwise, harnessing AI not just as a tool of innovation, but as an engine for equity, inclusion, and social progress.

Reducing Administrative Overload

For many of the tens of thousands of immigrants who move to New York City every year, starting their own business offers a reliable path to financial independence. But one major obstacle stands in their way: paperwork.

“Legal forms—disclaimers, informed consent, liability waivers—are complicated for anyone to complete, and especially for immigrants with limited English,” said Lu Shi, PhD, an associate professor of health sciences at Pace University’s College of Health Professions.

“As part of my work, I show immigrants how generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) can help them to clear these hurdles to become a new American entrepreneur,” Shi said. “In the past, it might have taken hours to make sense of these documents. With AI, it takes minutes.”

“It’s a language that must be learned.”

Shi himself uses AI to address health equity, mental health, and health disparities. As a fellow at the Helene T. and Grant M. Wilson Center for Social Entrepreneurship, he’s conducting an AI needs assessment for New York City-area nonprofits working with underserved populations and teaching AI literacy to foreign-born residents.

The biggest hurdle, he said, is keeping pace with rapidly evolving technology. “How you enter a prompt into AI tools to get the kinds of answers and information you’re looking for is as important as language itself,” Shi said. “It’s a language that must be learned.”

Mitigating Banking Bias

Institutions are learning to converse with AI, too. Noushi Rahman, PhD, a professor of management science at the Lubin School of Business, has focused his AI research on making financial institutions’ lending practices more inclusive. In 2023, John Ratzan, PhD, a senior managing director at Accenture who studied at the Pace business school, and Rahman published a paper in the journal AI and Ethics, exploring how banks could use AI to extend credit to more low-income borrowers.

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Banks have long been criticized for relying too heavily on algorithms to make loan decisions, a practice that can discriminate against economically marginalized groups. Ratzan and Rahman surveyed credit officers at 48 leading banks and developed a novel instrument to assess firms’ AI fairness, and suggested strategies for mitigating bias in automated decision-making. “You can have your cake and eat it, too,” he said. “Banks can be responsible, and also not lose money.”

Rahman is extending this line of research as a Wilson Center fellow into other industries, examining how AI is being deployed by leading social enterprises in economic development, education, environmental protection, health, civic engagement, and human rights. The goal, Rahman said, is to map “AI adoption pathways” that similar organizations can replicate.

“Sectors adopt different technologies based on unique needs,” he said. Understanding how these decisions are made can help socially minded nonprofits “draw inspiration from each other.”

Restoring Trust in the News

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Nonprofits are already leading the way in AI adoption. A recent Google survey of more than 4,000 not-for-profits found that most organizations consider GenAI well-suited for everyday administrative tasks, like translation and fact-checking. Others see a role for AI in fundraising and communications, while McKinsey & Company, a global consultancy, has identified 600 use cases for how AI capabilities could be used to benefit society.

For news organizations, meanwhile, incorporating machine learning into their work can be a matter of survival.

Seong Jae Min, PhD, a professor of communication and media studies in the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, researches how AI can help revitalize the journalism industry, which has been struggling with plummeting public trust and diminishing revenue. “AI can’t save journalism, but it can help if used properly," he said.

“From projects like the Panama Papers, to an analysis of spy plane flight paths, AI is making once impossible journalism possible, which serves the public good and helps to strengthen democracy.”

Min tracks journalism innovations and consults with newsrooms on the best use of technology. To his mind, the biggest advantage of GenAI and machine learning tools are the new types of reporting they enable. “When AI was first introduced in journalism, it was helping reporters and editors create simple stories, like company earnings reports and sports scores,” said Min, whose book, Rethinking the New Technology of Journalism, explores why this kind of news coverage holds little value for news consumers, and producers.

“But these days, AI is addressing things like gender bias in the news, and helping reporters find stories in troves of data,” he said. “From projects like the Panama Papers, to an analysis of spy plane flight paths, AI is making once impossible journalism possible, which serves the public good and helps to strengthen democracy.”

Breaking Down Barriers

Not every benefit offered by AI comes from building something new. To Ali Motamedi, PhD, a visual artist and lecturer at the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems, the real power of AI lies in what it can break.

As part of his work as a Wilson Center fellow, Motamedi is leading Pace students on a bold AI-art journey to shatter preconceptions of difference. What he describes as a “digital book,” the multimedia exhibit, when it opens this year, will be anchored by an AI-generated “fused” language that he and his students are creating.

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Motamedi doesn’t know precisely how this art experiment will unfold—that’s part of the joy of a creative project, he believes. He does have a hunch, however.

“Imagine you’re in a quiet, dark room in a gallery setting,” he said. “As you enter, you’re immersed in sound with an unknown yet strangely familiar language. On a screen will be text, some of which you’re familiar with, but most is indecipherable.”

“At first, you’re confused. But gradually, you get more comfortable, picking out sounds that reflect your own linguistic experience.”

Visitors will share in navigating a language that is no one’s, and everyone’s, Motamedi said. “It will be a dance between known and unknown, created with technology to inscribe a better understanding of our connection to each other.”

Reimagining Connection

While AI is often framed as a disruptor, at its core, it’s a connector—bridging gaps in language, access, and opportunity. Whether through legal assistance, financial inclusion, or artistic expression, Pace researchers are proving that AI can do more than just optimize processes; it can enrich human experiences and foster a deeper understanding of one another.

As AI continues to evolve, so will the questions around its ethical and societal implications. But in labs, classrooms, and studios across Pace, one principle remains constant: technology should serve people, not the other way around. Through their work, these scholars are demonstrating that AI is not merely about efficiency—it’s about empathy, creativity, and building a better, more inclusive future.

First four-year computer engineering degree in Westchester to drive tech innovation and meet industry demand

Pace University is expanding its STEM offerings with the launch of a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Engineering in fall 2026. Offered through the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems, this program will be the University’s and Westchester County’s first four-year engineering degree, equipping students with essential skills in hardware/software co-design, embedded systems, and real-time computing.

Designed to meet the growing demand for computer engineers, the program will prepare graduates to develop innovative technology solutions across various industries, from mobile devices and applications to augmented reality, drones, and smart automation. The BS in Computer Engineering will complement the existing BS in Computer Science, fostering synergy between software development and hardware engineering disciplines.

“As technology continues to evolve, the need for professionals who understand both hardware and software has never been greater,” said Li-Chiou Chen, Ph.D., interim dean of the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems. “This new program will provide students with a strong foundation in engineering principles and hands-on experience in the design of digital circuits and components, ensuring they are ready to innovate and meet the demands of an evolving market.”

Addressing Industry Demand

The demand for computer engineers continues to rise. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for computer hardware engineers is $138,080, ranking among the highest-paid engineering disciplines. Additionally, the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act and New York’s Green CHIPS Program are creating new job opportunities requiring the specialized hardware/software expertise that this program will develop.

“The world we live in is a microelectronics driven world. While software systems are often the popular focus, there is no value created without a hardware system for that software to run on,” said Nicholas Donofrio, IBM Fellow Emeritus and retired EVP of Innovation & Technology. “Computers are those hardware systems, and they are powered by microelectronics. The basics and fundamentals of computer and microelectronics engineering are critical to continuing to keep up with the increasing pace of demand and technological change ahead of us.”

Graduates of the BS in Computer Engineering program will be equipped to:

• Identify real-world challenges that can be solved with computer hardware/software solutions
• Apply engineering principles to optimize design performance, cost-effectiveness, and user experience
• Develop embedded systems that enhance automation and integration across digital networks

“At Pace University, we are committed to providing academic programs that prepare students for careers in high-demand fields,” said Jonathan H. Hill, DPS, interim provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “The Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering will give students the technical skills and industry-aligned knowledge to thrive in emerging technology sectors, furthering Pace’s reputation as a leader in STEM education.”

“Pace University's Seidenberg School has always taken great pride in educating and graduating its students fit for purpose to solve the problems of the real world. The addition of the Computer Engineering degree and its forthcoming graduates are just what the world needs more of now,” said Donofrio.

About Pace University

Since 1906, Pace University has been transforming the lives of its diverse students—academically, professionally, and socioeconomically. With campuses in New York City and Westchester County, Pace offers bachelor, master, and doctoral degree programs to 13,600 students in its College of Health Professions, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, Lubin School of Business, Sands College of Performing Arts, School of Education, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.

Communication and media scholars think critically about the introduction of new technologies, exploring what society gains and loses as new tools for communicating and new forms of media production and distribution become integrated into society. Rather than be motivated by fear of a new technology or a tendency to ask if a new technology is “good” or “bad,” communication and media scholars apply critical thinking strategies to consider its benefits and challenges as well as its design and uses. Through these lenses, scholars argue that the design of each technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), affords us the ability to use it in certain ways, including uses that we find beneficial and those that we find harmful. At the same time, we understand that a technology does not determine its own impact on the world; instead, we can think about how those who design, distribute, profit from, and use the technology are all part of the mélange of factors that impact how a new technology will be integrated into and possibly change society. Since AI is always developing, here are some questions you can ask to think critically about its value, use, and impact:

We encourage you to spend some time thinking about your own answers to these questions.

What might we gain and/or lose from the introduction of Generative AI (GenAI)?

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As many of us have experienced, GenAI can increase efficiency and process large amounts of information. It may even increase creativity by helping us to think outside of the confines of human thought. On the one hand, these tools could lead us to develop complex perspectives and stronger evidence-based arguments. On the other hand, AI processes could also lead us to rely less on our own memories and analytical skills, potentially atrophying our abilities to think critically, develop expertise, and exercise moral judgments.

What moral codes and ethical principles does AI use as it creates communications and media?

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Like all new technologies, AIs’ processes are encoded with the biases of its developers. In a capitalist society, developers are likely to value profit over human wellness. In addition, some scholars are concerned that because GenAI relies on user prompts and develops its intelligence by building on existing information and patterns, it is not equipped to challenge social norms or stereotypes. It is essential to consider when it is imperative for AI to value humanity or ecology over profit. If we first specify, through prompts, what a GenAI tool should value, it may abide, but what about when we don’t? In other words, what is or should be the AI moral default? Alternatively, can AI be developed that helps users critically reflect on their own biases and consider alternative ideologies?

How might AI impact the creative industries?

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Much of the buzz surrounding GenAI has focused on its potential uses in artistic endeavors, such as creating literature, music, and video games. It’s worth considering the potential benefits and challenges of using AI in these areas. AI might lower the barrier to entry for creative work and thus help even more people create and share their artistic visions with the world. Yet it’s possible that AI trained primarily on media content that reflects predominant power dynamics and stereotypes would largely generate output reflecting those same power dynamics and stereotypes, thus impeding the creation and spread of innovative and resistive creative ideas and expressions. AI has already provoked a “crisis” in intellectual property, with artists expressing concern that AI is using their works without permission and threatening their livelihood. AI thus raises critical questions about what it means to “own” an idea or creative expression as well as the meaning of creativity in general.

As users who interact with new and expanding AI tools, how can we help shape their use?

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It’s important to recognize that AI is a technology made by and ultimately used by humans, thus giving us influence over how AI is designed and implemented. New literacies must be developed to help people learn how to use AI safely and responsibly. New norms, expectations, and regulations are needed to make sure AI is used ethically and to hold those accountable who fail to do so. Serious consideration must also go into developing and implementing strategies to prevent AI from exacerbating the digital divide. Who will have access to the highest quality AI? Will it remain free and open or will those with greater privilege, have access to more powerful and advanced tools? What might be the long term socio-political and economic impact of this divide?