Tech Enthusiast: Aidan Griffith Is Optimizing Life and a Career
Aidan Griffith ’26 says he’s “dipped his toes into lots of different aspects of Bentley and the professional world.” But it’s more accurate to say he took a deep dive. Griffith founded the Bentley Artificial Intelligence Society (BAIS). He joined the Competitive Volleyball Team and student organizations ranging from radio to rock climbing. He spent a semester studying abroad in Switzerland. And he still found time to do finance, accounting and technology internships.
“Passion and curiosity are two core emotions I’ve followed throughout Bentley, and I’m appreciative of all the different experiences I’ve had,” says Griffith, who is a double major in Computer Information Systems (CIS) and Sustainability Science. “What began as a broad search for where I fit has solidified into a passion for business and technology problem-solving — helping organizations untangle complex systems, align departments and design solutions that create real impact.”
Growing up, Griffith’s career plan focused on “being a working man” like his father.
“My dad went to business school and became an accountant, so seeing the consistency and the solid base that a business education provides had a big influence on me,” Griffith says. “When it came time for me to apply to college, I saw Bentley’s return-on-investment and what it does for students. I knew I would get a reliable and good foundation for me to build on — wherever I eventually wanted my career to go.”
It turned out to be a good plan. After summer internships in accounting and finance, he crossed those options off his job list. But not before picking up valuable wisdom from informal office conversations.
“Choosing to major in Computer Information Systems wasn’t a linear path; it was more of slowly figuring out things over time,” Griffith recalls. “During my internships I realized a traditional business route was not for me. But I had the chance to talk to the company’s head of systems. She compared different systems to different parts of the human body. Each plays a role in optimizing data that influences how to interact with each other. The heart can’t work without blood vessels and veins, for example. It opened my eyes to how technology and business intersect.”
Cracking a Career Code
Even when Griffith declared his CIS major during sophomore year, he admits he wasn’t sure how it would play out as a career. “I didn't know exactly what a full-time professional position would be. I just had this interest in systems and data optimization.”
He says courses with Lincoln Matra, senior lecturer in CIS, helped him understand “what a real-world position could be.” Griffith was particularly drawn to the idea of being a business engineer: connecting technology to problem-solving and people.
“Understanding business concepts and having technical CIS skills puts me in a strong position to identify the potential of technology to solve problems,” Griffith says. “It allows me to be a ‘translator’ and communicate between the different fields and departments to find middle ground. A business engineer is able to step back, take a big-picture look at a problem and dive even deeper to develop solutions. It’s a little bit of everything.”
From Sci-Fi to AI
Part of Gen Z, Griffith was raised with technology. He learned on computers. He studied for exams using digital flashcards on the Quizlet mobile learning app. He played video games online. But it wasn’t until he came to Bentley that he became intrigued by “the crazy AI evolution” that was taking center stage.
“It was around my sophomore year when ChatGPT was widely released to the public,” he recalls. “It was powerful, and I was instantly fascinated by what it was doing.”
It wasn’t long before Griffith’s interest was deepened by the underlying principles of artificial intelligence. “I’m a big fan of science fiction and seeing it come to life through AI made me want to know more about what was happening behind the scenes. Users were entering questions, and AI would almost immediately produce in-depth responses that would take people much longer to find. I wanted to understand where that came from and what the future holds.”
A Network of Innovators
It turns out that Griffith wasn’t the only one fascinated by the power of AI. A Microsoft survey published in 2024 found that 71% of business leaders prefer to hire a less experienced candidate with AI skills over a more experienced candidate without them. Stats like these prompted Griffith to start a new student organization on campus.
“I wanted to find a way to connect with other Bentley students and faculty to explore, build and apply artificial intelligence across disciplines — from deep technical research to creative real-world innovation,” Griffith says.
To make that happen, he teamed up with Assistant Professor of CIS Ahmad Aljanaideh and launched the Bentley Artificial Intelligence Society (BAIS) in fall 2024. The goal: to provide education on AI principles, ethics and practical applications while supporting career development through targeted training.
“By fostering a collaborative community passionate about AI in business,” Griffith says, “Bentley Artificial Intelligence Society can help prepare students and the university for success in the evolving technological landscape.”
Aljanaideh agrees. “I believe that Bentley Artificial Intelligence Society adds essential value to the university’s community. Given we live in a time where AI has become relevant to different aspects of businesses, this organization will help students in staying engaged with the various opportunities, challenges and risks.”
Though Griffith comes to the table with technical skills, he understands that not everyone does. “I want to provide opportunities for people to learn, engage and explore AI regardless of background or major.”
The student organization is still young, but Griffith aims to offer programs ranging from beginner-level — teaching AI basics and daily applications — to more in-depth opportunities for students majoring in Artificial Intelligence for Innovation, Computer Information Systems and Financial Technology, and anyone with a deep understanding of AI.
To raise awareness about BAIS, Griffith presented at Bentley’s CIS Sandbox showcase and 15-year anniversary celebration in November. “We’re creating space for project development, mentorship and collaboration with faculty and industry experts.”
From Code to Culture
In spring 2025, Griffith combined his love for technology with a global experience. Through Bentley’s Cronin Office of International Education, he studied abroad at University of St. Gallen in Switzerland.
While there, he and classmates built an AI model that proved how natural language processing — using certain words on quarterly financial release transcripts for companies in the London Stock Exchange — has the potential to either increase or decrease stock price. He also got the chance to step away from tech and center on human intelligence.
“Studying abroad placed me in an environment with so many different types of people,” Griffith says. “I’ve literally met students and professors from all over the world: South America, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Singapore, China. It was cool to learn about people’s different values and see how that impacts the professional workspace.”
Griffith also redirected his personal algorithm to his Sustainability Science major.
“One course explored how political systems and structures, such as Germany’s tax on climate change, impact how we try to solve climate change,” says Griffith, whose love for the outdoors grew during the widespread COVID shutdown when he would take walks and hike. “The professors created a platform for sharing where we could respectfully challenge each other.”
Griffith says those kinds of conversations deepened his perspective. “Understanding different views shaped the way that I will approach problem solving with more of an open mind.”
That philosophy will influence Griffith’s upcoming role at Hanover Insurance. “As a business analyst, I'll be able to step back and better understand people’s goals and challenges,” says Griffith, who starts the rotational position in June 2026 after graduation. Though the fields of technology and sustainability don’t typically align because of the energy consumed by tech, he plans to explore ways to change that. “By digging in deeper to get to the root of a problem, I’ll be able to devise more dynamic solutions.”