Syracuse University College of Law alumni are putting their legal training to work at the forefront of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across various industries, combining law with other expertise to drive real impact.
Jeffrey Saviano L’92
Expert in Ethical AI Strategy and Governance; Business AI Ethics Leader, Harvard University Safra Center for Ethics; Senior Lecturer, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Retired Partner, Emerging Technology Strategy and Governance Leader, EY
After focusing on tax law at Syracuse Law, Jeffrey Saviano L’92 began his career at Ernst & Young (EY).
“I love the law and being a tax lawyer, but lifelong learning is essential,” he says. “Careers rarely follow a straight line. The winding path is often the most exciting; seek out new challenges that stretch you and help you grow.”
Early in his career, innovation was not his focus, but EY asked him to explore it as a potential area for growth. He couldn’t have known what that assignment would set in motion, but it ultimately became the foundation for his AI leadership role at the firm.
Retired from EY after three decades, Saviano now focuses on advancing ethical AI strategy and governance through his work at Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has advised more than 100 corporate boards and senior leadership teams on aligning AI innovation with governance best practices, regulatory requirements, and organizational values.
“History shows that humans adapt to major technology disruptions, from electricity to the internet, and I expect AI will be no different,” he says. “While a small number of roles may be fully displaced, most will evolve. More often, people will be replaced by others who effectively leverage AI, not by AI alone.”
Saviano’s first book, “Boundaries of Tolerance” (Wiley, September 2026), introduces a new framework for ethical AI leadership across both the public and private sectors.
Advice to law students: “Embrace the AI revolution and its legal applications. Look to your state bar or the ABA for guidance, and consider using generative AI to build a personal learning plan,” Saviano says. “Immerse yourself in these tools, so you can say, ‘I am an AI-enabled lawyer. Hire me because I use AI responsibly in my work.’”