Workforce Readiness in the Age of AI and Automation
In November 2025, The Global Impact Forum (TGIF) brought together educators, employers, students, innovators, and community leaders in Pittsburgh to explore how we prepare people for work and learning in an era shaped by AI and automation.
Across three days of conversations, workshops, and hands-on experiences, TGIF 2025 focused on closing the readiness gap: the disconnect between education systems and the real skills, mindsets, and knowledge needed in today’s workforce. The forum emphasized both emerging technologies and the human skills required to thrive alongside them.
TGIF 2025 At-a-Glance
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900+ participants from across education, industry, policy, and community organizations
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230 speakers and 125 interactive sessions
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220+ high school and college students participating in Student Spotlights
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Students representing 27 high schools and 6 universities
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Three days of dialogue, collaboration, and hands-on learning in Pittsburgh
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Countless new connections, partnerships, and relationships sparked on and off the stage
Highlights from TGIF 2025
Key themes and conversations
• Workforce readiness in the age of AI and automation
• Human skills like communication, adaptability, leadership, creativity alongside technical skills
• Ethical, responsible, and inclusive uses of AI
• Rethinking education systems to meet real workforce needs
• Technology as a tool to expand human potential, not replace it
Students at the center
• Student Spotlights showcased research, ideas, and innovations across AI, clean energy, sustainability, robotics, and emerging technology
• High school and college students actively participated as presenters, learners, and future leaders
Recognizing impact
• Introduction of the Susan Wojcicki Legacy Empowerment Award, honoring leadership in equity, innovation, and opportunity
• Six additional leaders recognized as 2025 Leaders of Impact for their community-centered work across education, workforce, and technology
Pittsburgh as a living lab
• TGIF 2025 leveraged Pittsburgh’s role as a hub for AI, robotics, education, and workforce innovation
• Partnerships with Explore: Pittsburgh Tech Week and Pittsburgh Robotics Discovery Day expanded the forum beyond the conference space and into the region’s innovation ecosystem
Featured Speakers
TGIF 2025 featured national and global voices across education, business, technology, and community impact, including:
• Mark Cuban, Entrepreneur and Investor
• Jerome Bettis, Pro Football Hall of Famer, Entrepreneur, and Philanthropist
• Gregg Behr, Executive Director, The Grable Foundation; Founder and Chair, Remake Learning
• Gretchen Clutter, Google Pittsburgh Site Co-Lead, Engineering Lead for Google’s Capacity Delivery group
• Roberto Clemente Jr., CEO RCJ Global Impact
• Earl Cole, Founder & CEO of The SMART Tire Company; Champion of Survivor: Fiji
• Slava Rubin, Managing Partner, humbition
• Wayne Walters, Superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools
• Jennifer Nash, Head of Education Impact - US, LEGO Education
Alongside these featured voices, more than 230 speakers contributed to conversations shaping the future of work and learning.
