Key Takeaways
- Marina Carreker ’03, a Carolina alumna and founder of Galleon Strategies, co‑chaired the inaugural AI for Public Good Conference held in Chapel Hill on April 13.
- She leveraged her artificial‑intelligence background to bridge the gap between rapid AI advancements and business leaders’ ability to harness the technology responsibly.
- Carreker emphasizes that the challenge of AI adoption is fundamentally human, not technological, and that continuous learning is essential as the field evolves month‑to‑month.
- Her UNC experience — critical thinking, openness to new perspectives, and tackling ambiguous problems — continues to shape her professional approach and motivates her to give back to the university.
- The conference is viewed as the opening chapter of a sustained dialogue on AI for the public good, with Carolina positioned to lead that conversation.
Marina Carreker’s Vision for AI for Public Good
Marina Carreker ’03 returned to Chapel Hill to co‑chair the inaugural AI for Public Good Conference, an event designed to unite researchers, policymakers, business leaders, and students around the responsible use of artificial intelligence. She described the gathering as a reflection of what Carolina does best: “bringing together researchers, policymakers, business leaders and students to grapple with these hard, important challenges.” By anchoring the conference in the university’s tradition of interdisciplinary collaboration, Carreker hoped to spark a lasting conversation about how AI can serve society rather than merely drive profit.
From History Major to AI Advisor
Although Carreker studied history at UNC, she credits her liberal‑arts education with providing the analytical toolkit she now applies to AI strategy. “What really defined my time at UNC academically was certainly getting to grapple with hard topics and learning to engage with new perspectives, big ideas and challenging problems,” she said. That foundation enabled her to pivot from a legal career representing technology companies to advising executives on AI adoption, demonstrating how a broad undergraduate experience can support specialized, fast‑moving fields.
The Inspiration Behind Galleon Strategies
Two years ago, Carreker launched Galleon Strategies after observing a stark disconnect: while AI capabilities were advancing at breakneck speed, many business leaders struggled to translate those capabilities into measurable value. She noted that “the challenge in the earliest days of generative AI was human rather than technological.” The firm’s mission is to help leadership teams understand how to adopt AI, achieve desired outcomes, and manage risk responsibly — a task that requires constant recalibration as the technology evolves.
Keeping Pace with a Rapidly Shifting Landscape
Carreker likens working in AI advisory to trying to hit a moving target. “This technology moves so fast that the way we’re helping clients one month can look completely different the next,” she remarked. The exhilaration of staying at the forefront of change keeps her team agile, but it also demands a mindset of continual learning and flexibility — qualities she cultivated during her time as a Tar Heel.
UNC’s Enduring Influence on Problem‑Solving
Reflecting on her undergraduate years, Carreker highlighted how UNC’s emphasis on critical thinking and openness to new ideas remains central to her work. “So much of how I approach my work today traces back to what I learned at Carolina — how to think critically, how to stay open to new ways of thinking, how to tackle problems that don’t have easy answers,” she explained. This mindset allows her to navigate ethical dilemmas, regulatory uncertainties, and the societal implications of AI with a balanced perspective.
A Personal Connection to Chapel Hill
Beyond professional ties, Carreker’s personal history with UNC runs deep. A Morehead‑Cain scholar, she ran track and cross country for the Tar Heels and met her husband, Justin — also a Morehead‑Cain recipient — through a blind date arranged by another scholar six weeks before graduation. After two years of long‑distance dating, they reunited for graduate school at the University of Virginia and now reside in Raleigh with their three children, frequently returning to Chapel Hill for sports games and favorite campus spots.
Giving Back Through the AI Conference
Carreker views the AI for Public Good Conference as a way to repay the university that shaped her. “My hope is that this conference is just the opening chapter of a long and fruitful dialogue about AI for the public good,” she said. She believes Carolina’s unique blend of academic rigor, public‑service ethos, and collaborative culture positions it to lead national and global conversations on how AI can be harnessed for societal benefit.
The Broader Implications of AI for Society
Throughout her remarks, Carreker stressed that AI’s impact extends far beyond corporate balance sheets; it touches education, healthcare, climate resilience, and governance. By convening diverse stakeholders, the conference aims to surface shared values and develop frameworks that ensure AI advancements promote equity, transparency, and accountability. Her vision aligns with a growing consensus that responsible AI requires both technical excellence and thoughtful public deliberation.
Looking Ahead: Continuing the Dialogue
As the inaugural conference concludes, Carreker anticipates future iterations that will delve deeper into specific sectors, policy challenges, and emerging technologies such as generative AI and foundation models. She invites alumni, faculty, students, and industry partners to stay engaged, noting that the conversation’s success will depend on sustained participation and a willingness to confront uncomfortable questions. In her view, the work begun in Chapel Hill could become a model for how universities worldwide can steward the AI revolution toward the public good.