Why AI Literacy Needs an Educational (and Entrepreneurial) Lens

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Melissa Savignano

Melissa Savignano, a content marketing manager at Babson College, has worked in higher education for almost a decade, where she tells authentic, compelling campus and community stories. Before Babson, she managed communications for Boston University’s largest college, the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. She previously worked in client relations, helping brands of various sizes launch content marketing strategies and storytelling initiatives. When not at work, you will find her in the city of Boston, probably at the movie theater.

March 25, 2026

Portrait of Andres Espinosa Riera MBA’14

AI is moving fast, but learning it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Andres Espinosa Riera MBA’14 explains how Babson and Founderz are making AI learning practical and human‑centered.

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With more than two professional decades in the technology and education spheres, Andres Espinosa Riera MBA’14 knows how important it is for the two realms to meet in the middle.

“Technology deployment always involves education, whether it’s adoption, communication, or enablement,” Espinosa Riera says. “I’ve been lucky (in my career) to find a balance between education and technology. They feed each other, and that’s where I find the most fulfillment.”

Since taking over his family’s boutique technology consulting firm, Sentek, at the start of the 2020s, he still prioritizes his role as an educator. In 2022, he joined global education company Founderz—Babson Professional and Executive Education’s recent collaborator on the newly launched AI in Action: From Prompts to Innovation certificate program—as a lecturer and Head of Partnerships for the Americas.

He has taught entrepreneurship across programs at Babson since 2018, covering topics that, he says, “don’t always involve launching a company from scratch.” That includes introductory entrepreneurship, growth through partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, and entrepreneurial growth, along with work with the Frank & Eileen™ Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership’s WIN Lab Venture Accelerator.

When Founderz, as part of a partnership with Microsoft, wanted to develop its first AI and innovation course, Espinosa Riera was called on to design the class. It’s that work that then helped Founderz launch its Babson On-Demand certificate, which is taught by Founderz executives, applied scientists, architects, and innovation leaders from Microsoft and other industry-leading organizations.

With the rapid adoption and expansion of AI in the market, and a rush of professionals eager to adapt, Espinosa Riera reflects on how Founderz and Babson can help learners reach their goal without feeling overwhelmed.

Founderz focuses on making technology education more accessible and confidence‑building for professionals. How do you do that?

“Technology moves incredibly fast, and education struggles to keep up. Founderz is designed to stay relevant—visually, structurally, and pedagogically. Founderz draws from a ‘masterclass’ philosophy: If you’re investing time and money, you should be learning from the best.

“Technology changes so fast that content must constantly be updated. If a course launched a few months ago references an older AI model, it needs to be refreshed immediately. That keeps us on our toes, but it’s the only way to keep tech education meaningful.”

Why do you think Babson and Founderz work so well together?

“Babson has held the number one ranking in entrepreneurship for almost 30 years, and entrepreneurship and technology naturally go hand in hand. When I was a Babson student and later a lecturer, I always believed entrepreneurship education needed to integrate technology more deeply. Today, innovation, AI, and entrepreneurship are inseparable.

“We’re just getting started with Babson and Founderz. There’s incredible excitement around where this collaboration is going, from AI tutors to new content development. Entrepreneurship and technology are two sides of the same coin, and we’re committed to continuing to bridge them.”

Why is AI literacy so important right now, and what misconceptions do people have?

“Two years ago, people were excited; now many are scared because AI is changing jobs and workflows. One major misconception is deploying AI just for the sake of deploying AI.

“AI literacy means understanding how to use AI thoughtfully, securely, and strategically. AI should enhance productivity, not create chaos. The human in the loop is more important than ever. I often say we provide ‘humanity as a service,’ because without human judgment, technology fails.”

What advice do you give professionals who want to embrace AI without being overwhelmed?

“Ignore the noise. Validate your sources. Learn from reputable platforms. Take time to experiment, but do it with structure. Have fun with AI, but don’t rush to deploy tools without understanding them. Thoughtful adoption is where real value is created.”