Duke Trailblazer: Jon Reifschneider

In the quickly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), Jon Reifschneider has emerged as a respected leader within Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering. As the executive director of Duke’s Artificial Intelligence for Product Innovation Master’s Program, Reifschneider brings a wealth of industry experience and academic expertise to push Duke’s AI educational offerings into the future.

With a background rooted in both engineering and management roles at data services and analytics companies, Reifschneider’s journey to academia is marked by a commitment to driving impactful change through technology. His leadership at Duke extends beyond the classroom, as he spearheads initiatives that bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application.

Reifschneider’s dedication to fostering creativity and innovation is exemplified through his role as the faculty lead for the annual Duke Generative AI Hackathon. This event serves as a platform for students to explore the intersection of AI technology and human interaction, encouraging them to push the boundaries of what’s possible with generative AI.

“There is tremendous interest among our students in AI, and particularly generative AI, and we want to provide opportunities for them to get hands-on with the technology and build something meaningful within a supportive, fun environment,” Reifschneider said.

Beyond the hackathon, Reifschneider is instrumental in Duke’s efforts to harness the power of AI in education through initiatives like the Center for Research & Engineering of AI Technology in Education (CREATE). Through this initiative, Reifschneider explores AI-based tools that enhance the learning experience for both educators and students. He emphasizes the importance of responsible AI development, stating, “If developed and used responsibly, large language models can be fantastic tools for the personalization of content and assessments, as well as providing support to students as they navigate the educational experience at Duke.”

Reifschneider’s vision for the future of AI in education aligns with Duke’s broader mission of leveraging technology for social good and advancing the university’s reputation as a leader in AI innovation. Through his leadership and dedication to excellence, Jon Reifschneider stands as a trailblazer whose impact extends far beyond the confines of academia, shaping the future of AI and education for generations to come.