Science, Economics, and Artificial Intelligence: Israel’s Leading Minds Gathered at a Landmark Alumni Event

The business and technology-focused event, titled “Opportunities in a Changing World,” took place at the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History. Alumni holding key leadership positions across the Israeli economy gathered for an afternoon of TED-style talks and discussions exploring the future of economics, technology, and innovation.

Leading Voices in Economics and Science Share One Stage

The event opened with remarks by Prof. Yael Steinhart, Dean of the Coller School of Management at Tel Aviv University.

She was followed by Prof. Leo Leiderman, Professor Emeritus at the School of Economics at Tel Aviv University, Chief Economic Advisor to Bank Hapoalim, and Head of the IREES Institute at Peres Academic Center. Prof. Leiderman examined the impact of the AI revolution on capital markets—a topic currently at the forefront of discussions among investors, executives, and policymakers worldwide.

Addressing the rapid adoption of AI in Israel, Prof. Leiderman noted:

“According to new data from Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics, 2026 has been exceptionally impressive so far, with AI adoption rising sharply to 39%, compared to 28% last year—and we have not yet reached midyear. This is happening despite the security and geopolitical challenges facing Israel. The business sector continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience while delivering strong performance throughout this technological revolution.”

Inspiring Stories, Strategic Insights, and Personal Journeys

The event continued with a series of TED-style presentations featuring inspiring personal stories, strategic perspectives, and economic insights.

The first lecture was delivered by Dr. Dorit Dor, Co-Founder of Qbeat Ventures, Board Member of Qubit.IL, Check Point Fellow, and an alumna of the Faculty of Exact Sciences at Tel Aviv University. Her presentation, titled “The Quantum Moment: Why Now, Why It Matters, and Where the Opportunities Are,” explored the emerging opportunities created by advances in quantum technologies.

Next, entrepreneur, industrialist, and visionary Pinhas Pozailov shared his personal story of determination, entrepreneurship, and nation-building in a talk titled “Circles of Success: From the Pioneers of the Diamond Exchange to the Vision of Tomorrow.”

Avi Yaron, Partner at Serendipity Venture Capital, entrepreneur, inventor, and alumnus of the Faculty of Engineering at Tel Aviv University, recounted his extraordinary journey from battling a brain tumor to developing a technological solution that evolved into a multinational company. His lecture was titled “Brain Tumor: An Existential Threat or a Challenge to Creativity?”

The event concluded with Shlomo Abramowitz, author, investigative journalist, and writer of the book Circles, who offered a behind-the-scenes look at crafting an extraordinary life story in his presentation, “Behind the Scenes of Circles: Writing an Impossible Life Story.”

Special thanks to Eynat Canor, Communications Consultant and alumna of the Faculties of Humanities and Social Sciences at Tel Aviv University, for her invaluable partnership in making the event a success.

Sigalit Ben Hayoun, Head of the Tel Aviv University Alumni Organization, said:

“We are not simply hosting an event—we are creating a platform where innovation meets experience. Our alumni community is one of the driving forces behind the Israeli economy, and this gathering at the Steinhardt Museum provides an opportunity to build meaningful professional and personal connections while hearing some of the most insightful perspectives on the world of tomorrow.”

Among the Participants

The event welcomed distinguished guests from across Israel’s business, technology, media, and academic sectors, including Nattan Schuchamy, Managing Partner at Hyperwise Ventures; architect Prof. Haim Dotan; Ronit Pozailov; Tomer Dor; Ronit Ben-Basat, Vice Chair of the Israel-America Chamber of Commerce; journalist of Channel 12 Sigal Gafni; attorney Rinat Shafrut; Lina Rabin; and many others.

Click here to watch the photos from the event >

TAU Alumni community – A World Changing Community