By Manish Maheshwari MC/MPA Mason Fellow 2025
When U.S. President John F. Kennedy inspired the world with his call to “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country,” he captured a timeless ideal of human service and leadership.
At Harvard Kennedy School, this spirit of service permeates everything we do.
Today, as algorithms increasingly drive important decisions, it’s imperative we extend this call to the artificial intelligence we create and deploy: “Ask how you can do human good.”
This question has been at the heart of my journey at HKS as I explore the intersection of AI and public policy. With a background that spans leadership roles at Twitter India, co-founding an AI startup, and serving on the Governing Council of India’s Internet and Mobile Association, I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative power of technology—and the need to guide it responsibly.

A pivotal moment in this journey was my conversation with former Google CEO Eric Schmidt at a JFK Jr. Forum, where we discussed the role of AI in shaping society. Schmidt emphasized the responsibility innovators bear in aligning AI with human values and the critical importance of governance in managing its risks. This resonated deeply with my focus at HKS, where courses like API-222: Machine Learning and Big Data Analytics with Professor Soroush Saghafian, DPI-640: Technology and the Public Interest: From Democracy to Technocracy and Back with Professor Latanya Sweeney, and the Mid-Career MPA Summer Program with Professor Deborah Hughes Hallett have sharpened my understanding of both the potential and pitfalls of AI.
One area where AI’s impact is undeniable is education. In my recent opinion piece for The Economic Times in India, I explore how AI can democratize learning by personalizing education and bridging access gaps. Yet, as students and professionals, we must adapt to a world where continuous learning is no longer optional. Mastering emerging technologies, cultivating critical thinking, and building interdisciplinary skills are vital to thriving in both academia and the workplace.

“The question is no longer just what we can achieve with AI but how we can ensure that it achieves outcomes that uplift humanity. At HKS, these questions are not abstract—they are lived, debated, and acted upon.”
The mission of Harvard Kennedy School to train public leaders who make a difference aligns with the ethical challenges AI poses. The question is no longer just what we can achieve with AI but how we can ensure that it achieves outcomes that uplift humanity. At HKS, these questions are not abstract—they are lived, debated, and acted upon.
As I continue this journey, I am committed to leveraging AI to empower creators, expand equitable education, and foster a future where technology serves humanity—not the other way around. At Harvard Kennedy School, I’ve found not only the tools but the inspiration to make this vision a reality.
Artificial intelligence is changing how people work, learn, and create. Harvard Kennedy School can help you learn more about the opportunities AI brings as well as the challenges and concerns that it raises for policymakers and public leaders. Explore HKS events, articles, courses, multimedia, faculty, and resources on AI.