Jon Down

Jon Down is a recognized thought leader at the intersection of artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, and strategic foresight. As a Professor of Entrepreneurship & AI at the University of Portland, he partners with companies and nonprofits to build internal AI competency and to deploy AI responsibly and effectively. Jon brings a rare blend of hands-on experience, academic rigor, and philosophical curiosity to his work—he’s both excited and uneasy about what lies ahead—and fully awake to what’s coming. His work focuses on helping humans thrive in a world where machines are rapidly becoming more capable, creative, and autonomous. A dedicated and highly regarded educator, Jon is known for his engaging teaching style and ability to make complex concepts accessible. He holds a PhD in Business Strategy from the University of Washington, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and an engineering degree from Oregon State University. If you're looking for an experienced guide to help you or your team navigate the AI frontier, start a conversation. Jon is always open to collaboration. The real Jon can be reached at down@up.edu or 541-231-8390.