Systems engineering alum delivers keynote speech at Homecoming 2024

The College of Engineering hosted its annual Homecoming breakfast at a time of great change for the University of Arizona. But as keynote speaker Jerry Hunter explained at the ceremony, change comes with benefits. Hunter graduated with a bachelor's degree in systems engineering in 1988, and a master's in 1990. He was also recognized as alumnus of the year at the event. 

Hunter, who recently retired as chief operating officer from Snap, Inc., spoke about artificial intelligence and large language models, AI programs that use deep learning to analyze and understand text. He invited guests to consider the sweeping technological advances of the past 30 years.

“The changes in this time are nothing compared to what we’re about to experience,” he said.

Hunter touched on the advantages large language models promise – such as improved access to the latest medical information and predictive health care analytics – as well as ethical considerations, privacy, and the growing need for electrical power needed to fuel AI systems.

“We can’t put this genie back in the bottle,” he concluded. “I don’t think we want to; the benefits for humanity are too large.”

Hunter’s three-decade career began at NASA's AMES Research Center and included leadership positions at tech companies including Sun Micro Systems and Amazon. Hunter helped establish the SnapCats internship program and has generously contributed to the College of Engineering Transfer Student Scholarship fund.

“I was fortunate to have people invest in me when I was a student at the U of A,” said the alumnus of the year. “Getting a college degree can improve the lives of whole families – it did for mine.”