Carter Saar, MSBA '24
“The program gave me the platform to grow my career, pursue opportunities in new industries, and led me to be well equipped for my position today as an AI Engineer.”
Carter Saar is an AI Engineer for the State of Utah, where he helps shape statewide AI strategy, governance, and innovation across executive branch government agencies. As he describes it, he and his team find ways to integrate AI responsibly and effectively into government and leverage AI to give employees “superpowers” as they work on some of the hardest challenges facing society.
Before transitioning into public-sector technology, he served as a lead industrial engineer at Boeing, contributing to the 737 MAX and 787 return-to-service initiatives and driving data-science–based solutions across production systems. With a passion for responsible AI and its potential for social good, Carter is committed to building human-centered technology that strengthens institutions and improves everyday life.
He recently caught up with Stern about how the career opportunities that the program opened for him, why he believes AI and technology can make a positive social impact, and why he believes Stern MSBAi graduates have a competitive edge in a data-driven world.
Where were you in your career when you decided to pursue this MSBA program? Why did you choose Stern over other avenues?
As someone who started their career as a summer intern in NYC, I was captivated by the NYU campus environment; specifically, the opportunities Stern had to offer by being so closely integrated to the heart of global business in NYC.
When looking at MS programs, I knew I wanted a curriculum focused on the latest technologies. I also wanted to learn from professors who had real world expertise in technology and business. I was also accepted into MS programs at Cornell and Georgetown with scholarships, but Stern MSBAi was my top choice due to the curriculum, faculty, global modules, and an emphasis on AI systems that I did not see in other programs. MSBAi offered the perfect blend of in-person learning that I could balance with full-time work commitments. The program was also already proven, with MSBAi alumni already working in some of the most interesting global sectors of technology.
When I started the program, I was a lead industrial engineer for Boeing’s commercial airplanes division. I was in the middle of a 4-year long assignment for the 737 MAX and 787 return-to-service initiatives. While I was able to have success early in my career, my programming skills were self-taught and experience was limited to my industry. I knew an MS program would provide the opportunity to expand my career into emerging tech industries.
Why was now the moment to make a big investment in yourself and pursue this degree?
In the years leading up to when I attended the MSBAi program, I saw how technology was quickly evolving and becoming more and more integrated into all aspects of industries. Early in my career I observed the power of technology to inform decision making, mitigate risk, improve safety, gain market leadership, and change lives. I also knew technology was not slowing down, and the best time to start on this path was now. I think this was further proven when ChatGPT 3 launched during my program, and the GenAI industry grew rapidly from intriguing research to impacting all our lives. Today, AI is more integrated into the world than ever before, and as technology adoption continues to grow across industries, having a comprehensive background across analytics, AI, and data science will continue to be a valuable skillset to any role.
What excites you about the field of analytics and artificial intelligence, and how do you see yourself contributing to the field? How will your experience at Stern help you make that contribution?
Analytics and AI are exciting because if you can effectively and responsibly harness these technologies, you can bring positive change to our everyday lives. GenAI specifically is the new frontier; things once only imagined in science fiction are now becoming real-world challenges. I see myself contributing to the field by finding new ways to harness analytics and AI for social good, bring positive change to the world, and achieve a future where technology is pro-human. Working in government, we work on some of the hardest challenges facing the world and new technologies offer new paths to better serve the public.
Stern prepared me for this through the curriculum, which focused on applying AI, causal analytics, and data science to real world problems across industries. I also appreciate how the Stern community is very collaborative, offering a network of accomplished professors and alumni that I now have as a resource for the rest of my life.
What are some specific skills you gained in the program?
There is a myriad of technical skills: machine learning, deep learning, big data and cloud technologies, applying technical research to new problems, making data driven decisions under uncertainty or risk, learning how to communicate the complexity of the latest AI techniques to all audiences, presenting research, and finding new ways to visualize data.
The program also delivered a truly global perspective. Our class sessions in London and Abu Dhabi provided awesome opportunities to visit startup incubators, interface with technology leaders, and learn more about how AI was impacting global economies. I also enjoyed learning from my peers in the program, who brought a variety of experiences working on technology initiatives across the world.
What has the immediate value-add of the program been on your career?
The program shed light on how pivotal technology is throughout the world. Modern industries are growing more and more reliant on technology, and problems across the globe are continuing to be solved with new technology. Learning how impactful a responsible and effective implementation of AI can be has led me to focus my career on leveraging technology to try and solve some of the hardest problems facing our world.
After completing the program, I had job offers across new industries like investment banking, applied math, and global sales / marketing. I had real-world experience from the coursework and a capstone project that demonstrated my skillset in advanced economic modeling using AI. The NYU Stern network is also super helpful and full of awesome opportunities to move and grow in my career. The education has been foundational in informing the work I do today as an AI Engineer, and how I address new challenges.
What advice would you give someone considering this program but unsure whether it’s the right time?
If the past shows us anything, it is that technology is not slowing down. While there may not be a “perfect time” to continue your education, the MSBAi program offers the ability to gain a wide skillset in Analytics / AI while maintaining full-time employment. Though the program is challenging, it’s achievable because you are supported by incredible faculty and peers. The program gave me the platform to grow my career, pursue opportunities in new industries, and led me to be well equipped for my position today as an AI Engineer.
What makes Stern MSBAi graduates uniquely prepared to lead in a data-driven world?
I think the breadth of the program is incredible. We were able to do meaningful coursework across so many different aspects of technology like machine learning, deep learning, decision making, network analytics, modern AI, and data visualization. Our professors brought incredible expertise from creating successful companies and their experiences working at some of the biggest technology companies in the world. Beyond the traditional coursework, our capstone project brought an opportunity to apply our skills to real challenges facing industries we were interested in. Post-graduation, the faculty and alumni have been incredibly supportive, offering guidance in my career path and highlighting new opportunities.
What three words would you use to describe your experience in the program?
Collaborative, trail-blazing, transformational (and fun!)