Bronstein Lecture will explore trust and empathy in AI literacy

Giancarlo Pitocco, a leader in artificial intelligence (AI) strategy will meet with students and faculty on Dec. 1 and Dec. 2 as part of the 14th Bronstein Lecture in Ethics and Public Relations. One of the sessions will include a public lecture offering insights into AI and its impact on communications.

Pitocco, a senior AI adoption consultant at Covestro, was selected as the Bronstein Lecturer for the 2025-26 school year. He will present “The trust gap: Why communications, not code, will determine AI’s future” in a session open to the public at 4 p.m. on Dec. 1 in the Paterno Library’s Foster Auditorium. He will also visit classes and meet with faculty members during his visit.

The student-focused ethics series is hosted by the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications and organized by the Page Center.

According to Pitocco, AI adoption isn't failing because the technology isn't good enough, it's failing because organizations haven't learned how to talk about it. In his talk, he will explore how trust, empathy and strategic communication are the missing ingredients in AI literacy initiatives. He will share practical frameworks for communicating and marketing AI adoption.

During his visit, he will speak with students in two "COMM 375: Ad/PR Strategy" classes, as well as students in a special topics course titled “AI for All," which is taught by Page Center senior research fellow Heather Shoenberger. Pitocco will also participate in meet-and-greets and presentations with Bellisario College faculty members and graduate students.

Giancarlo is a leader in enterprise AI transformation initiatives that bridge technical innovation with human-centered implementation. He currently leads AI adoption and AI product marketing at Covestro, a global sustainable material science company.

Pitocco is currently a professional-in-residence at the Bellisario College where he teaches advanced topics on strategic thinking in the AI era. His course combines traditional strategic planning principles with cutting-edge applications of AI in the communications field. He also serves as an adviser to Penn State's National Student Advertising Competition team.

A recognized thought leader in technology's impact on business and society, Giancarlo has been invited to share insights at the World Economic Forum, TEDxNYU, Harvard Business Review and Adobe. He co-founded CGC Leadership Institute, a leadership development and executive coaching company, where he led the integration of AI across marketing, sales and operations while developing scalable frameworks for organizational transformation.

About the Bronstein Lecture

The Bronstein Lecture is made possible by an endowment from Penn State alumnus Ben Bronstein. Bronstein, who earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1961, was the founding director of public relations at the Penn State College of Medicine and Hershey Medical Center and held director positions in public relations at two statewide healthcare associations.

Bronstein, a member of the Mt. Nittany Society as a result of his lifetime contributions to the University, formerly served as president of the Lion’s Paw Alumni Association and the Mount Nittany Conservancy.

As an undergraduate, Bronstein was editor of the Penn State Student Handbook, a sportswriter for the Daily Collegian, secretary-treasurer of the Interfraternity Council (IFC), secretary of the IFC Board of Control (judicial/disciplinary body), president of Phi Sigma Delta social fraternity and a member of Lion's Paw and Skull and Bones senior leadership honor societies.