November 06, 2025
Highlights and Takeaways from The Global Impact Forum 2025
The Global Impact Forum (TGIF) made its Pittsburgh debut this year with three days of ideas, energy, and collaboration. Throughout the week, one insight stood out: when people come together across education, industry, and community, meaningful change begins.
From November 3–5, more than 900 participants gathered to explore how technology, especially AI, can help us expand human potential and build a future-ready workforce. Across workshops, keynotes, and spotlights, every session was a chance to share ideas and connect with global changemakers.
Powerful Conversations That Framed the Future
TGIF opened with a keynote from Jerome Bettis, who set the tone with a message about purpose, access, and opportunity. Over the next three days, speakers like Gregg Behr, Gretchen Clutter, Roberto Clemente Jr., Earl Cole, Slava Rubin, and more challenged attendees to rethink how we lead, learn, and innovate.
TGIF closed with a standing-room-only mainstage conversation between Mark Cuban and Justin Aglio, where Cuban emphasized that the future belongs to those who understand AI. Charlotte Dungan from the Mark Cuban Foundation also highlighted how their AI Bootcamps are preparing high school students to step confidently into an AI-driven world, with several bootcamp participants in the room to experience the moment firsthand.
Panels and Sessions That Advanced the Conversation
Panels and workshops throughout the week dug into some of the most pressing questions facing educators and employers today:
- How do we challenge traditional models of education and industry?
- What does a future-ready workforce actually look like?
- How are women driving innovation and change?
- How can AI become a tool for creativity, equity, and opportunity?
We listened in on thought-provoking panels featuring leaders across education, business, and policy - like the fireside chat between Audrey Russo and Todd Underwood on challenging traditional models of education and industry; and Linsey Covert, Nayli Russo, Kendra Ross, and Olga Pogoda discussing how women are driving change; and Michael Reed, Michael Golden, Lina Dostilio, and Larry Terry talking about higher ed's role in a future-ready workforce; and the Dare to Disrupt Live podcast conversation with Ryan Newman and Al Motley.
Leaders from higher ed, business, nonprofits, and policy came together to share bold ideas and practical insights, and explore how emerging technologies can support people, rather than replace them.
Students at the Center
One of the most memorable parts of TGIF 2025 was the Student Spotlights. The conference went beyond talking about students – it invited them in.
Over two days, more than 220 high school and college students from across Pennsylvania showcased their research, ideas, and innovations.
The high school spotlight day, hosted by EXPlore Pittsburgh Tech Week with Google and Citizens, began with several tech activations from companies like Duolingo, STEM Coding Lab, Assemble and more. Students rotated through activities, learning hands-on skills and exploring emerging technologies.
Students from 27 high schools and 6 universities across the region shared innovations spanning clean energy, sustainability, AI, and emerging technology. Here's a peek at just a few of those projects:
- Blackhawk High School: harnessing bridge movement with a hybrid solar/kinetic tile system to generate clean energy
- Shaler Area School District Sustainability Club: reimagining recycling by designing furniture from repurposed materials
- Butler Senior High School: developing a Living Wall vertical gardening system
- Cambria Heights High School: 3D-printing a multifunctional Package Access Tool (PAT)
- Penn State: demonstrating innovations in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
- Seton Hill University: pitching Clutch, an AI-powered student discount app offering real-time, personalized deals
- Carnegie Mellon University Entertainment Technology Center: presenting Colorama: A Pop-Up Pinball Experience
- Point Park University: exploring how Mixed Reality can transform traditional gaming experiences.
Honoring Leaders Making an Impact
TGIF also marked the introduction of the Susan Wojcicki Legacy Empowerment Award, presented by Esther Wojcicki to its inaugural recipient, Amy Loyd, CEO of All4Ed.
Six additional leaders were recognized as 2025 Leaders of Impact:
- Deon Gordon (President and CEO, TechBirmingham)
- Adeel Khan (Founder and CEO, MagicSchool AI)
- Lance Lindauer (Co-Founder and Executive Director, Partnership to Advance Responsible Technology)
- Angela Mike (Executive Director, Career & Technical Education, Pittsburgh Public Schools)
- Cheryl Morgan (Director, Somerset County Library)
- Jan Morrison (CEO, Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM – TIES)
Each awardee represents the spirit of TGIF: using innovation, partnership, and community-centered leadership to create meaningful change.
A Week of Connection On and Off the Stage
Beyond the sessions and keynote talks, some of the most valuable moments happened between people during hallway conversations, coffee chats, and evening receptions.
Educators connected with employers. Students met mentors. New partnerships began. And with more than 125 sessions and 230 speakers, the momentum generated in Pittsburgh will continue long after TGIF has ended.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in Pittsburgh. We can’t wait to see where these conversations and partnerships lead next.