The first time Jeremi Nawawi (’25SPS, Technology Management) encountered ChatGPT—his introduction to the world of AI—he was working as a strategic consultant intern in the technology branch of PwC. He had recently returned to Paris, the city where he was born and raised, to work the internship after completing a six-month exchange program studying information technology in Singapore.
It was 2022, and OpenAI had just launched its AI-generated large language model for use by the general public. Microsoft France—whose parent company, Microsoft, had built much of the infrastructure powering ChatGPT—wanted to introduce it to teams of potential clients like the team Nawawi belonged to at PwC.
“The Microsoft team told us, ‘We’re going to show you something that is going to completely change the face of the business,’” Nawawi recalled during a recent interview. “So we got a preview of ChatGPT, and it was crazy, truly crazy. I remember sitting in my chair and thinking, Okay, that is going to change the world.”
That first encounter with ChatGPT crystallized a nascent interest in technology for Nawawi. He completed his bachelor’s in politics and international studies at the University of Warwick in England, but at the same time he began creating AI agents to help him with his academic essays. Not long after, he enrolled in the M.S. in Technology Management program at Columbia University School of Professional Studies (SPS) and co-founded Navyr.ai, which he describes as an “enterprise AI decision platform designed to help companies identify, prioritize, and develop the AI and data initiatives that matter most.”
Can you tell us about what brought you to Columbia’s Technology Management program?
In Europe, it’s really important to get a master’s degree, and I wanted to find something I could bring value to and where I could make an impact. I like science, I had done jobs in tech, and I had strong analytical and quantitative skills from my political science and economics background at Warwick. I was wondering what the next step was for me.
I always wanted to be an entrepreneur, like my father. I knew that AI could expand my opportunities, so I asked myself, How can I use that? I started to create some quick AI projects. The first one was to help people get into universities. We created agents that work with students to refine their application materials. Our methodology helped a lot of students get into major universities without using a super expensive career counselor.
After that, I decided to recreate the processes that I had learned at PwC with AI, and I started to create small agents. I already had experience working with technology and had studied technical subjects during a semester at a university in Singapore, but much of my understanding of AI was still self-taught. I wanted a more comprehensive foundation that connected the technology itself with business strategy and leadership. So when I looked at the Technology Management program curriculum at Columbia, I said, “Okay, that is for me,” and I applied.
How did your experience in the Technology Management program help prepare you to launch the AI company you co-founded?
I had amazing professors across different areas of technology, including ML (machine learning), blockchain, AI, and data. I received the insights I needed and the vocabulary I was missing—and that combination helped me create the startup Navyr.ai, which we launched during my year at Columbia.
Also, Columbia is a highly recognized name in the business, technology, and startup communities. When we were raising money with the co-founder of Snowflake, I mentioned that I was studying at Columbia. His reaction made me realize the international recognition the University carries. But more importantly, the program gave me the confidence and vocabulary to participate meaningfully in that kind of conversation.
We came up with the idea for Navyr.ai while I was at Columbia. All of my phone calls, prototypes, whiteboards, and planning were done at Butler Library. Some of the work happened in class and during office hours because I was asking my professors for help. Which is why, for me, this program at Columbia was the best incubator possible. The Technology Management program is made to push you into the real world.
In June 2026, Nawawi’s company, Navyr.ai, was one of the startups featured at the Columbia University School of Professional Studies (SPS) Technology Management program booth at VivaTech in Paris, France. Nawawi (far right) helped coordinate SPS's inaugural presence at VivaTech, billed as Europe’s largest startup and technology event. Also pictured (left to right) are Noa Zubarev, Iman Jazmina, Shaotong Peng (an incoming Technology Management student), and SPS team members Dr. Tiffany Hughes, Katja Schroeder, and Liz Pickard.
Do you have any favorite classes or experiences?
Being on campus was special. I really liked experiencing all the seasons on the Columbia University campus, and I miss that today.
For my classes, I picked everything that I felt I was missing to become the best tech leader possible. I learned from Joseph Steinberg about cybersecurity and Cristina Dolan about emerging tech. The classes went until quite late at night. To keep us motivated, Dolan gave us chocolate for good answers. As a chocolate superfan, I was quite motivated. She also gave me a lot of feedback—and she still does today—about how to go further, how to think outside the box. And at the same time, because it is Columbia, you can pick classes from other SPS programs or Columbia University schools. Joseph Calandro, Jr., in the Enterprise Risk Management program—who is also a director at PwC—taught me everything about strategic risk management. In addition, I attended finance-in-tech courses at the business school. All of these classes together helped me to step up as a tech leader and to be able to talk and pitch to investors and clients at an international level. They gave me the confidence and the tools I needed.
About the Program
The Master of Science in Technology Management at Columbia University prepares graduates to lead digital transformation, and align technology and business strategy with an ethical lens. Through experiential learning, industry partnerships, and Columbia-supported research, students gain fluency in digital platforms and emerging technologies, and learn to design human-centered solutions that drive innovation and sustainable impact.
The program is available for part-time or full-time enrollment online or on campus in NYC. Learn more about the program here.
