Alumni return to Imagine RIT and dive deep into the future of artificial intelligence and innovation

Rochester, New York – Rochester Institute of Technology’s vibrant tradition of innovation was alive and thriving once again as alumni from across generations returned to campus for a special gathering at Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival. On April 25, a select group of distinguished graduates took the stage during the Futurists Symposium, offering an insider’s glimpse into how technology—and especially artificial intelligence—is shaping the road ahead.

The panel featured a dynamic lineup of speakers whose careers have been built at the intersection of creativity, technology, and problem-solving. Sean Petterson ’13, a serial entrepreneur who first introduced his injury prevention invention, StrongArm, at Imagine RIT as a student, returned to his roots to share his journey from idea to impact. Today, Petterson leads Supercede, a company focused on sustainable construction products. Reflecting on his path, he emphasized the behind-the-scenes work that drives innovation.
“For me, design work is about 5 percent of what I do, and everything else that I need to do to support this work takes 95 percent,” Petterson told the audience.

Joining him were three other alumni who are each leaving their mark on the evolving AI landscape. Tonia Bledsoe ’96, founder of Bledsoe Legacy and co-founder of the EmpowerAI Collective, shared her mission to bring AI tools into marginalized communities, empowering individuals to turn their creativity into entrepreneurship.

“I’m always striving to meet the challenge of how creative we can be together,” Bledsoe said. “For me, the future lives in creative collisions. Our goal should be to become a partner in realizing how we can expand possibilities in areas such as architecture, games, and science.”

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The conversation, hosted by RIT President David Munson and guided by Evan Dawson, host of WXXI’s “Connections,” revolved largely around the rising influence of AI. Across industries and disciplines, the message was clear: artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept—it’s an immediate and unavoidable force shaping our lives.

Khalid Al-Kofahi ’94, a senior vice president and leader of the AI Center of Excellence at Fidelity Investments, provided a frank assessment of AI’s future role in the workforce.
“I don’t think you can build a career that is insulated from AI,” he said. His message resonated strongly with the students in attendance, many of whom are preparing to launch careers in an increasingly AI-driven economy.

Meanwhile, Josh Cavalier ’92, a veteran in Learning and Development and founder of JoshCavalier.ai, inspired the next generation of innovators to fully embrace the resources available to them.

“We have the DNA here at RIT; the foundations are all right here. I’m excited to see the safe spaces where students, faculty, and staff can come together to have deep conversations about AI. The cross-pollination of ideas is one of the ways that we will solve some of the world’s problems,” Cavalier shared.

Throughout the symposium, the alumni painted a picture of a future where collaboration, creativity, and inclusivity would be key drivers of technological growth. Rather than fearing AI, they urged the audience to view it as a tool—a powerful enabler that, when used thoughtfully, can bridge gaps, spark innovation, and address real-world challenges.

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For RIT students and community members alike, the event was more than just a panel; it was a reminder of the spirit that defines the university. Imagine RIT has always celebrated ingenuity, but the Futurists Symposium took it one step further by offering a blueprint for what’s next.

As the festival wrapped up and the audience dispersed, the energy lingered—an excitement about possibilities yet to be realized, and a clear call to action for anyone dreaming of shaping the future. The message from the stage was unmistakable: the future of AI isn’t waiting for us somewhere down the road. It’s here, now, and it’s up to us to imagine, create, and lead.