Exploring Public Leadership in the Age of AI at our SPP Alumni Symposium 2026
We were delighted to welcome our alumni community back to campus for the 2026 Alumni Symposium, which this year explored the theme Public Leadership in the Age of AI.
In a world of increasing fragmentation, the need for thoughtful, forward-thinking public leadership has never been more urgent. Harnessing the power of AI for social good requires policymakers who can navigate both its opportunities and risks.
This year our annual alumni symposium brought together policymakers, scholars, and alumni from across the School of Public Policy to examine how Artificial Intelligence is reshaping societies and what this means for the future of public services.
Throughout the day, participants engaged with leading experts on topics ranging from ethical governance and the impact of AI on democracy to the rise of AI agents and their implications for public decision‑making.
Dean Andrés Velasco opened the symposium by welcoming alumni back to LSE and joined alumna Nina Frey for a special discussion, designed to equip attendees with “A Playbook for Policymakers in a Tumultuous World.”
Other key discussions focused on the future of work, how AI enhancements can support efficiency and examined the real value of the human experience. Attendee Heather Abbey (MPP Class of 2024) reflected on one of her highlights from the day:
“Hearing Professor Luis Garicano speak on Messy Jobs: The Work That AI Cannot Reach was fascinating. His core argument was that the jobs most vulnerable to AI are often single‑task roles with clean, measurable outputs. But many human jobs are actually bundles of tasks, combining judgement, relationships, accountability, communication, and care.”
The symposium provided another valuable opportunity for our alumni community to reconnect, share their perspectives, and gain fresh insights into how public leaders can navigate an AI‑driven future. It was a forum for learning, reflection, and renewed commitment to shaping public policy for the common good, which is what makes being a part of our LSE SPP community so special.
