Dear CMU Ambassadors,

Commencement is always one of the most inspiring moments of the academic year, and this spring was no exception as Carnegie Mellon proudly conferred more than 5,800 undergraduate and graduate degrees during our 128th Commencement ceremony. It was a privilege to celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of the Class of 2026 alongside NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang, whose keynote address challenged our graduates to embrace technological change with optimism, courage and a deep sense of responsibility as they prepare to shape the future.

That spirit of possibility also informed a recent interview I gave with Scientific American. Among the topics we discussed were the rapid acceleration of scientific discovery through artificial intelligence and computation, the importance of investing in the next generation of scientists and engineers, and the opportunity to harness these advances to solve society's greatest challenges.

In this issue of CMU Ambassadors, we are highlighting stories about how the work happening here at CMU — from robotics and AI to the arts and workforce development — is improving people’s lives and preparing our society for the intelligent future.

• As the “Silicon Valley of Appalachia,” Carnegie Mellon is driving economic and technological transformation across the Pittsburgh region and beyond, serving as a magnet for tech talent, startups, breakthrough research, economic infrastructure and more.
• CMU’s Robotics Innovation Center is officially open, and its technologies and people are already expanding human capability, spurring economic development and preparing the workforce of tomorrow.
• Our graduates are bucking national employment trends, demonstrating that CMU’s unique educational approach prepares students not just for jobs, but for leadership in fields being reshaped by intelligent technologies.
• April’s NFL Draft Week in Pittsburgh put Tartans on the national stage and showed the world how technology, creativity and human performance intersect and improve at Carnegie Mellon.
• What if your earbuds listened to your heart? CMU electrical and computer engineering researchers created wearable tech that monitors cardiovascular health through the ear canal. This work exemplifies how thoughtful human-centered engineering can improve health, safety and quality of life.
• While CMU is clearly a leader in AI innovation, we are also making it a priority to explore its impact on human cognition, ethics and responsible use because we must understand how technology is shaping the human mind in order to harness it to improve human life.
• A new partnership with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra gives music students unprecedented access to one of the world’s premier orchestras, integrating artistic excellence with experiential learning and emphasizing that human expression is more important than ever.
• CMU has long been known for its commitment to “learning by doing,” and Dietrich College’s Collester Center for Experiential Learning is a new hub for hands-on learning that builds the skills, judgment and adaptability to thrive in our rapidly changing world.
• In every corner of the world, AI innovation and its effects on humanity are at the center of important discussions, with Tartans playing a key role — like School of Computer Science professor Alex Waibel, who participated in a global AI working group convened by the Pope last fall.

As I look to the future, I remain optimistic because of what I see every day at CMU: a community of students, faculty and staff working together across disciplines to solve problems that will make life better for all. Jensen Huang said it best during his keynote address to the Class of 2026:

“Every major technological revolution in history created fear alongside opportunity. When society engages technology openly, responsibly and optimistically, we expand human potential far more than we diminish it.”

Thank you for your ongoing support as an ambassador for Carnegie Mellon. By championing this institution and its students, faculty, staff and alumni, you are helping to shape a future that always has humanity at its heart. I hope to see you on campus this fall!

Warm Regards, 

Farnam Jahanian
President and Henry L. Hillman President's Chair