Check out our list of things to do in NYC!

1. The Met: Women Dressing Women

Explore the evolution of women’s fashion and celebrate Women’s History Month at this exhibit, which showcases the creations of more than 70 designers ranging from the early 20th century to the present day. But hurry, this is the last weekend the exhibit will be open! So make sure to grab a friend and be a part of this extraordinary exploration of fashion and history.

Through March 10, 10 a.m., The Metropolitan Museum of Art

2. St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Experience a 250-year old tradition—the largest and most iconic celebration of Irish heritage in the United States. Watch for maroon standing out amongst the green as Fordham proudly marches alongside colorful floats and enthusiastic participants. On this day, it’s practically a rule: everyone’s Irish!

Saturday, March 16, 11 a.m., Fifth Avenue between 44th and 79th streets, Manhattan

3. JAPAN Fes

Step into the heart of Japanese food and culture at NYC’s JAPAN Fes! A fixture in Manhattan since 2016, the event features 1,000 vendors, making it the world’s largest Japanese food festival.
Saturday, March 23, 10 a.m., East Village, Manhattan

4. Spring Egg Hunt

Get ready for an eggstravaganza of fun-filled activities in the Bronx! Whether you’re competing in the egg races, unleashing your creativity with arts and crafts, or simply enjoying the festive atmosphere, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Saturday, March 30, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center, Bronx

5. Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival

Every Easter, New Yorkers put on their finest attire and flaunt their most elaborate bonnets. Whether you want to join them, simply walk in the parade, or just be a spectator, it’s an experience you won’t want to miss.

Sunday, March 31, 10 a.m., Fifth Avenue between 49th and 57th streets, Manhattan

“The main idea is to identify and understand the different types of biases in these large language models, and the best example is ChatGPT,” said Rahouti. “Our lives are becoming very dependent on [artificial intelligence]. It’s important that we enforce the concept of responsible AI.” 

Like humans, large language models like ChatGPT have their own biases, inherited from the content they source information from—newspapers, novels, books, and other published materials written by humans who, often unintentionally, include their own biases in their work. 

In their research project, “Ethical and Safety Analysis of Foundational AI Models,” Amin and Rahouti aim to better understand the different types of biases in large language models, focusing on biases against people in the Middle East. 

“There are different types of bias: gender, culture, religion, etc., so we need to have clear definitions for what we mean by bias. Next, we need to measure those biases with mathematical modeling. Finally, the third component is real-world application. We need to adapt these measurements and definitions to the Middle Eastern [population],” said Rahouti. 

Starting this April, Amin and Rahouti will work on the project with researchers and graduate students from Hamad Bin Khalifa University and Qatar University, both located in Qatar. Among the scholars are three Fordham students: a master’s student in data science, a master’s student in computer science, and an incoming Ph.D. student in computer science. The grant funding will partially support these students. 

This research project is funded by a Qatar-based organization that aims to develop Qatar’s research and development, said Amin, but their research results will be useful for any nation that uses artificial intelligence.

“We’re using the Middle Eastern data as a test for our model. And if [it works], it can be used for any other culture or nation,” he said. 

Using this data, the researchers aim to teach artificial intelligence how to withhold its biases while interacting with users. Ultimately, their goal is to make AI more objective and safer for humans to use, said Amin. 

“Responsible AI is not just responsibly using AI, but also ensuring that the technology itself is responsible,” said Amin, who has previously helped other countries with building artificial intelligence systems. “That is the framework that we’re after—to define it, and continue to build it.” 

In their Feb. 21 talk, Anne Williams-Isom, FCLC ’86, deputy NYC mayor for Health and Human Services, and Catherine Blaney, FCLC ’86, development lead at Bloomberg Philanthropies, encouraged students to consider opportunities in government, nonprofits, and more.

The pair, both of whom are members of Fordham’s President’s Council, spoke in Keating Hall at Rose Hill to more than 150 students in the symposium, part of Fordham’s pre-law offerings, which also include advising, programming, and clubs. The symposium brings in speakers to help students learn about careers, prep for the LSAT, and analyze mock cases.

Though Williams-Isom has spent much of her career in government and nonprofits, she said the training she got in law school was “very important” to her work.

“I wanted to be a good writer, I wanted to increase my analytical skills [and] be able to synthesize information quickly,” she said.

Williams-Isom, previously the CEO of the Harlem Children’s Zone, said that she often pairs those skills with values she learned at Fordham.

“Through all of this, the decision to go to Fordham and to want to focus on justice, and to want to focus on service—I do think I have come full circle in what I’m doing … and how I’m able to lead at this moment,” she said.

Blaney said that “law school is a place that allows you, when you graduate, in whatever job you take, to think five steps ahead.”

That way of thinking helped her develop a close connection with her boss, Michael Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor.

“He is a very precise, analytical, driven human being, and he wants to put action and results together, and he wants you to quickly analyze the problem and come up with a decision,” she said.

Thinking about Public Service and Law

For students, learning about the different paths and skills that law school can provide made an impact.

“I want to become a lawyer, but more the public service route—I want to be helping communities do better,” said Vincent Brandy, a first-year Fordham College at Rose Hill student, who plans to major in international studies.

Sinclair McKinney, a first-year Fordham College at Rose Hill student studying environmental studies, said that she appreciated learning about the role Fordham played in the speakers’ careers.

“The most interesting for me was … how Fordham’s focus on social service and helping others has followed them throughout their lives and led them to where they are,” she said.

Jade Belliard, a junior at Fordham College at Rose Hill majoring in history, said that she appreciated their message that students can “do anything with a law degree,” and that they spoke about balancing their careers and family.

“Especially for women, I feel like you have to choose between a career or starting a family—especially being in law,” she said. ”It was kind of a relief that they were like, ‘just go for it.’”

Additional reporting by Franco Giacomarra.

Directed by serial entrepreneur and executive director Al Bartosic, GABELLI ’84, the Foundry also oversees the Fordham Angel Fund, which offers investments of up to $25,000 to the University’s active student and alumni founders.

Fordham Magazine caught up with a handful of alumni who received funding, coaching, or other support from the Foundry to find out where they—and their businesses—are now, and how they got there.

Mary Goode, FCRH ’20
Founder and CEO, Nantucket Magic
Fordham Degree: B.A. in Economics

The launch: I grew up on Nantucket Island and watched the tourist landscape change dramatically over the years, becoming increasingly popular yet harder to navigate. The company uses local expertise to offer hotel-like concierge service and amenities to vacationers in Nantucket, Massachusetts, and Palm Beach, Florida, including pre-arrival fridge stocking, dinner reservations, private chefs, backyard movie nights, beach picnics, wellness experiences, and more.

The challenge: Our biggest challenge has been navigating how to scale the business while maintaining exceptional service. To surmount this, we have recruited hospitality experts to work seasonally in both locations.

The assist: The Foundry has played a huge role in the success of my business! I learned so much during the process of the pitch competition alone. The actual funds I won helped us pay for marketing campaigns as well as expand our team, among other things.

The goal: I have been trying to broaden the definition of what success means to me. No matter what happens in the future, what I have created so far feels like an immense personal success, chiefly because of the incredible people I have worked with over the past three years.

Marquice Pullen, GSE ’21
Co-Founder, DAB Pickleball
Fordham Degree: M.S.E., Curriculum and Teaching

The concept: DAB Pickleball is a one-stop shop for pickleball players worldwide. Comprehensive infrastructure, certified coaching tips, quality equipment, competitive prices. Events, tournaments, and a thriving community. Your ultimate pickleball resource. I can’t take credit for the idea. My business partner and brother, Antonio, stumbled upon the sport at Acworth Community Center in Georgia.

The process: We participated in three pitch challenges: Fordham Foundry Rams Den, Fordham vs. Bronx, and Black Ambition, all within one year, and were successful in all three, thanks be to God. Social media marketing, risk management, inventory management, tax filing, bookkeeping, and opening our first facility in July 2023 were all challenging aspects of the process. However, we found our momentum in late December 2023.

The foundation: Initially unfamiliar with Fordham University, my enrollment through the Army Civilian Schooling (ACS) program, driven by my aspiration to become an instructor at the United States Military Academy, inadvertently initiated our entrepreneurial journey. Rooted in Jesuit principles, my education at Fordham eventually led me to the Fordham Foundry. Without Fordham University as a catalyst, I might not have discovered the Foundry or ventured into entrepreneurship.

The win: Success is evident through our community of players and dedicated volunteers and supporters. Seeing the smiles on our consumers’ faces as they enjoy the game of pickleball and, more importantly, witnessing the competitive spirit of our elderly pickleball players, is a success story in itself.

Rachel Ceruti, GSAS ’20
Founder and CEO, Reclypt
Fordham Degree: M.A. in International Political Economy and Development

The vision: I kind of fell into the sustainable fashion scene in New York City and upcycling—when you or designers take something that was going to be thrown away and repurpose it, diverting textiles from landfills. I started a blog that transitioned into a marketplace for fashion, but our community told us they wanted to do the upcycling, not just buy it. We listened, and our mission is to use our platform to explore circular economy structures, with Reclypt as a hub that explores how we create change.

The challenges: Funding really comes to mind. You can’t rely on unfair wages and volunteers. Another challenge, too, is letting people know why circular fashion is needed and what it is.

The assist: I would go into the Foundry space and pop ideas off of the other entrepreneurs and the Foundry team. I benefited from the free office hours with a lawyer. The business aspects that are behind the scenes, I would have never been able to navigate without the Foundry.

The next step: We want to host consistent events; be able to grow and hire, including start monetizing my team’s time; gain more visibility; and establish a steady revenue stream.

Usman “Ozzy” Raza, PCS ’14, GABELLI ’21
Founder and CEO, Equepay
Fordham Degrees: B.A. in Economics, Executive M.B.A.

The concept: Equepay is at the forefront of simplifying billing and payment processing, not just in health care but extending our innovative solutions beyond. We aim to convert the complex financial operations in hospitals and clinics into streamlined, user-friendly processes, ensuring easy and efficient financial management for all involved.

 The launch: Equepay was born out of discussions with friends in the health care sector who highlighted ongoing challenges with payment processing and collections. Recognizing the untapped potential in this underserved market, I founded Equepay. Since launch, Equepay has been expanding its solutions across various hospitals in the U.S.

The foundation: My EMBA from Fordham has been crucial in shaping my entrepreneurial journey. The knowledge and skills acquired laid a solid foundation for Equepay’s strategies and operational methodologies.

The goal: Success is an evolving target. Our immediate goal is to integrate our platform into 196 hospitals by the end of the year, continuously enhancing our services to meet the growing needs of the healthcare sector.

Emmit Flynn, FCRH ’21
Co-Founder, Awful Cloth
Fordham Degree: B.A. in English

The brand: We started Awful Cloth to be an online apparel company for street and lounge wear, with a lot of colorful designs and bright, vibrant ideas. All of them were hand-drawn original designs and I was the designer.

The launch: For eight or 10 months, it was all planning. We got all the domains, Twitter, and Instagram very early on before we had anything produced. That made all the difference when we finally did start to get traction. Then it was a lot of workshopping and pushing it out to our friends and family to see what the response was.

The hurdles: The true hurdles were things that are intangibles. It wasn’t “where do we find this factory” or “how do we do this.” Those things were small hurdles, but we were so driven that there was nothing like that that would stop us. It was more about the mental hurdles: having patience and confidence and being sure of ourselves. Especially early on when things were slow, and we weren’t making any sales, and we weren’t making any profit.

The win: We recently sold the business to a medium-sized retail group called Lilac Blond. We were very happy to do it because selling was a goal of ours and we knew these people—and we were sure that they wanted the best for the brand.

The designation comes after 11 Fordham students and alumni were selected for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program for the 2023-2024 school year. Currently serving in destinations that range from Côte D’Ivoire to South Korea, they have joined the ranks of hundreds of Fordham students chosen for the program since it began nearly 80 years ago. 

“Fulbright scholarships change lives, funding international student research opportunities and creating pathways to careers in academia, industry, and government,” said Tania Tetlow, president of Fordham. “Being a top producer of Fulbrights speaks to Fordham’s investment in scholarship and in our students; we are so gratified by their success.”

This is the sixth time Fordham has been recognized as a Fulbright Top Producing Institution for U.S. students in the past 15 years. The prestigious awards allow students to pursue a variety of international opportunities, including studying, teaching, and conducting research abroad.

Molly Gleason, a 2021 graduate of Fordham College at Rose Hill, is an English teaching assistant in Indonesia through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. She applied for the Fulbright after a rewarding summer study abroad program in the country two years earlier.

“I was certain I wanted to return to continue the cultural exchange, and what better way to do that than within a classroom? I teach 10th and 11th graders at a vocational high school in Pekanbaru, a city in Sumatra that rarely has foreigners (I am the only one in the whole city!),” she said. “One highlight of my grant has been the development of an ecology club for my students who have never been exposed to the environmental field. Pekanbaru’s natural areas became immersive classrooms, and together we explored and learned about the ecosystem.”

Fordham students apply for awards like the Fulbright through the Office of Prestigious Fellowships, which offers guidance and support throughout the application process.

“We are overjoyed to be recognized as a top producer,” said Lorna Ronald, Ph.D., director of the fellowships office, adding that the office is eager to “break down the myth that only one type of student can apply for a prestigious award such as a Fulbright.”

“The Fulbright program is an ideal fellowship for any student interested in cultural exchange—and we have many such students at Fordham,” said Ronald. “We work closely with each student as they think through their goals and plans and how a year overseas might benefit them and the community they seek to serve. We can’t wait to work with students again this year, and we encourage all who are curious about this opportunity to come and meet with us.”

Operating since 1946, the Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international academic exchange program. Fulbright alumni include 89 Pulitzer Prize winners, 80 MacArthur Fellows, 41 heads of state or government, and 62 Nobel Laureates.

Originally a marketing major, she also thought about going into fields like sustainability farming and fashion modeling before settling on finance.

Now a senior at the Gabelli School of Business, Abdulhussein hopes to combine her interests through Al Ameerat, her startup clothing brand that aims to empower women through modest and stylish fashion. Its debut collection is set to be released this spring with the aid of a surprising partner: Bratz dolls, the billion-dollar media franchise known for its outsized influence on youth fashion and culture.

“Nothing has gone [according] to plan,” Abdulhussein said of changing majors and landing her first big deal. “But it worked out.”

Abdulhussein has created eight original designs for women that will be modeled by select Bratz dolls and made available for purchase this spring.

Seizing Opportunities ‘in the Middle of the Night’

Al Ameerat’s initial rollout will focus on fashionable and affordable designs of the abaya, a religious garment commonly worn by women throughout the Middle East. Growing up between Tanzania and Dubai, wearing an abaya was commonplace for Abdulhussein. But in the U.S, she found limited offerings.

“In America, it’s very old style, traditional. But if you go to the Middle East…you’ll see such a big difference. It’s very flashy, it’s fun, it’s trendy,” she said.

Abdulhussein partnered with her friend Mira al Aqrabawi, based in Dubai, to collaborate on the business plan and manage operations on the ground.

It was an offhand comment between the two that sparked the breakthrough.

“I was telling her, ‘You look like a little Bratz doll,’” Abdulhussein said, conjuring the fashion-forward dolls of their youth. “And then I was like, ‘Wait, this is a great idea.’”

Abdulhussein did some research on the spot and messaged a Bratz representative for brand collaborations, emphasizing the opportunity to expand into a new market—modest fashion—while simultaneously demonstrating a commitment to diversity and inclusion. She didn’t expect to get a response at all—let alone a few hours later.

“It was a happy accident that took off literally in the middle of the night,” she said.

Now she and her partner are finalizing their collection to prepare for their spring launch with Bratz.

From the Classroom to the Market

A global business major with concentrations in finance, business economics, and fintech, Abdulhussein credits her classes and professors for her ability to execute her idea so quickly.

“I couldn’t have told you anything about how finance worked before I got here,” she said. “It’s hard to forecast sales for a company that doesn’t exist yet. My analytics class was really helpful because I was like, ‘Alright, I have to make this balance sheet balance.’”

When it came time to finalize her pitch, Abdulhussein drew from hands-on learning experiences like the Gabelli School’s Consulting Cup event.

But Abdulhussein stressed that the ability to make connections was the most rewarding part of her experience.

“My professors put me in touch with good people. They taught me how to network,” she said. “Toy companies aren’t too scary once you’ve been reaching out to all these JP Morgan people.”

Employing Women

Abdulhussein still has big ideas. She hopes to sell out the first collection, donate a percentage of profits to a worthy cause, and eventually have a fulfillment center fully populated by women.

For now, she spends her nights on Zoom clutching pieces of fabric and trying to communicate her vision to tailors on the other side of the globe.

“You have to be patient,” she said, reflecting on the design process—and the path that led there. “It’s not always going to work out on the first try.”

Follow Al Ameerat’s progress on Instagram @ameerat.abayas.

Del Rey was nominated for five awards, including Album of the Year for her 2023 release, Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd. That award went to Taylor Swift’s Midnights, which featured Del Rey as a guest vocalist and co-writer on the track “Snow on the Beach.”

Swift brought Del Rey on stage with her after winning that final award of the night, and during her speech, she praised her friend and collaborator: “I think so many female artists would not be where they are and would not have the inspiration they have if it weren’t for the work that she’s done,” Swift said. “I think she’s a legacy artist, a legend, and in her prime right now.”

Along with Album of the Year, Del Rey was nominated for Best Alternative Music Album, Song of the Year and Best Alternative Music Performance (both for “A&W”), and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance (for “Candy Necklace,” which featured Jon Batiste). In addition, Jack Antonoff took home the Producer of the Year (Non-Classical) award for his work on both Del Rey’s and Swift’s albums.

The kind of fellow artist support Del Rey received from Swift harks back to an interview and performance she recorded at Fordham’s WFUV in late 2011—just before the release of Born to Die, her major-label debut. Speaking with host Rita Houston, she called herself naturally nervous but said that praise from peers at open-mic nights and early shows helped boost her confidence.

Now, with peers including some of the biggest music stars in the world, Del Rey’s impact as an artist only continues to grow. You can catch her headlining Coachella in April, and she recently teased that her next album, Lasso, will be released in September.

A recent presentation at Fordham’s cybersecurity conference last month helped illustrate why.

“When I asked the CEO of a major movie company recently, ‘What’s the craziest thing you can imagine will happen in the next two to three years?’ he said, ‘We will have a full cinematic feature starring zero actors, zero cinematography, zero lighting, and zero set design,” said Josh Wolfe, co-founder and managing director of Lux Capital at a keynote speech on Jan. 10.

“It will all be generated.”

As an example, Wolfe, whose firm invests in new technologies, screened a fan-made movie trailer that used AI to imagine what Star Wars would look like if it had been directed by Wes Anderson.

A Threat to Storytelling

James Jennewein, a senior lecturer in Fordham’s Department of Communication and Media Studies whose film-producing credits include Major League II, Getting Even with Dad, and Stay Tuned, said the prospect of AI-powered screenwriting is deeply concerning.

He called storytelling “soul nourishment” that teaches us what it means to be human.

“We’re still watching films and reading books from people who died centuries ago, and there’s something magical about an artist digging into their soul to find some kind of truth or find a unique way to express an old truth, to represent it to the culture, and I don’t think that AI is going to help make that happen more,” he said.

In many ways, AI has already infiltrated movies and TV; major crowd scenes in the show Ted Lasso were created using AI tools, for example. This summer, the directors of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny used AI to render the nearly 80-year-old Harrison Ford to look like he was in his 20s.

The ability to use fewer actors in a crowd scene is obviously concerning to actors, but Jennewein said the strike was about more than just saving jobs–it’s about protecting creativity.

“We don’t want AI to create the illusion that something is original when it really is just a mashup of things that have been created before,” he said.

“Flesh-and-Blood” Films Coexisting with AI

Paul Levinson, Ph.D., a professor of communications, saw first-hand what AI can do to his own image and voice. A 2010 interview he did was recently altered by the journalist who conducted it to appear as if Levinson was speaking in Hindi.  But he is less concerned about AI taking over the industry.

He noted that when The Birth of a Nation was first screened in 1915, it was predicted that it would kill off the live theater.

Levinson predicted that in the future, the majority of what we watch will be AI-generated, but there will still be films that are made with live human actors. Just as theater co-exists with live movies, traditional movies will co-exist with AI content.

“I think we are going eventually to evolve into a situation where people aren’t going to care that much about whether or not it’s an AI-generated image or a real person,” he said.

Levinson acknowledged that AI could inflict real harm on the livelihood of actors and screenwriters, but said an equally important concern is whether those who work with AI tools get the credit they deserve.

“I’m sure people are going to think I’m out of my mind, but I don’t see a difference, ultimately, between a director who is directing actors in person and somebody who understands a sophisticated AI program well enough to be able to put together a feature-length movie,” he said.

“What could ultimately happen as AI-made films become more popular, is that films that are made with real flesh-and-blood actors will advertise themselves as such, and they’ll try to do things that maybe AI can’t quite yet do, just to push the envelope.”

Check out our list of things to do in NYC this month!

1. High Line Tour: From Freight to Flowers 

Curious about the NYC High Line? Check out one of the free guided tours and hear about the fascinating history and unique features of this iconic park in the sky. 

Wednesdays, 10 – 11:30 a.m and Saturdays, 12 – 1:30 p.m., On the High Line at Gansevoort Street, at the top of the Gansevoort Street stairs

2. A Musical Celebration of Black History Month with Harpist Brandee Younger

Celebrate Black History Month with vibrant music and engaging conversation with experts, about artworks in the Met galleries. In this program, musician Brandee Younger explores the profound impact of the harp on the American musical landscape, drawing connections to the Met collection.

Saturday, Feb. 10,  2 – 2:45 p.m., The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Manhattan

3. Valentine’s Day Crafting and Card-Making Workshop

Express your love to your special someone with a one-of-a-kind, handmade Victorian-style Valentine’s Day card! Explore the fascinating history of valentines while crafting your own special card.

Saturday, Feb. 10, 10 – 11:30 a.m., Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum, Bronx

4. Chinese New Year Parade and Festival

Immerse yourself in the lively spectacle of dragon dances, mesmerizing performances, and the electrifying energy of the Year of the Dragon at this Chinese New Year Parade and Festival. After the parade, enjoy delicious food or sing karaoke in Chinatown! Join the NYC community as they usher in prosperity, unity, and joy for the new year. 

Sunday, Feb. 25,  1 p.m., Mott and Canal Street, Chinatown

5. Black History Month: Historic Black Women of Harlem

Explore the richness of Black History Month with NYC Parks! Join the Urban Park Rangers as they explore the stories of Black women who have played a revolutionary role in shaping the vibrant community of Harlem. 

Sunday, Feb. 25,  1 – 2:30 p.m., 135th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue, Manhattan

Better English-Language Outreach

The use of artificial intelligence is both a pro and con for law enforcement, Joyce said.

“One of the first things [bad actors are] doing is they’re just generating better English language outreach to their victims [using AI]—whether it’s phishing emails or something more elaborative,” he said. “The second thing we’re starting to see is … less capable people use artificial intelligence to guide their hacking operations to make them better at the technical aspect of a hack.”

But Joyce said that “in the near term,” AI is “absolutely an advantage for the defense,” as law enforcement officials are using AI to get “better at finding malicious activity.”

For example, he said that the NSA has been watching Chinese officials attempt to disrupt critical infrastructure, such as pipelines and transportation systems, in the United States.

“They’re not using traditional malware, so there’s not the things that the antivirus flags,” Joyce said.

Instead, he said they’re “using flaws” in a system’s design to take over or create accounts that appear authorized.

“But machine learning AI helps us surface those activities because those accounts don’t behave like the normal business operators,” Joyce said.

‘Hacktivists’ Role in Israel-Hamas Conflict

Joyce said one of the biggest challenges for cybersecurity officials is understanding who is conducting cyber attacks and why. For example, while cyber officials have been seeing an uptick in “hacktivists,” or hackers who are activists, they’ve been seeing more foreign governments backing them and posing as them.

“The Israel-Hamas conflict going on right now—there’s a tremendous amount of hacktivist activity, and we see it on both sides of the equation,” Joyce said. “But the interesting piece in some of this is the nation-states are increasingly cloaking their activities in the thin veil of activists’ activity—they will go ahead and poke at a nation-state, poke at critical infrastructure, poke at a military or strategic target, and try to do that in a manner that looks to be this groundswell of activist activity. That’s another place where we need that intelligence view into really what’s behind the curtain, because not all is as it seems.”

Unclassifying Information: ‘A Sea Change’

Joyce said that one of the biggest “sea” and “culture” changes at the NSA is sharing classified information with the private sector.

“We’re taking our sensitive intelligence, and we’re getting that down to unclassified levels that work with industry,” Joyce said, “Why? Because there might be one or two people in a company who are cleared for that intelligence, but chances are the people who can do something about it, they’re the folks who actually are not going to have a clearance.”

Joyce said that the department has decided to shift its stance around sharing in intelligence in part because “what we know is not nearly as sensitive as how we know it” and because “knowing something really doesn’t matter if you don’t do something about it; industry is the first that can do something about it.”