Day of AI Global Summit

Bahodir Ahmedov, Doctor of Science in Mathematics & Physics, has extensive teaching, research and managing experience in various Universities and Institutions in Germany, Italy, Spain, India, USA and Uzbekistan.

Dr. Sharifa Alghowinem is a leading research scientist in the field of multimodal AI and Human-Robot Interaction, with educational background that includes a Ph.D. from the Australian National University in 2015, an M.Sc. in Software Engineering from the University of Canberra in 2010, and a B.Sc. in Computer Applications from King Saud University in 2004.

Natasha (Tash) Banks is Program Director for Day of AI Australia, a free world-class AI literacy program for teachers and students in years 1-10 across Australia. Her mission is to empower young Australians to understand AI, act as responsible and safe users, and confidently shape the AI-powered world of the future. Tash brings over a decade of experience in project management, operations, and stakeholder engagement. She previously served as Head of Operations at Future Women. She also held roles at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), including Distribution Partnerships Manager for ABC News, and Projects and Operations Lead for the Content Ideas Lab, where she managed digital innovation projects and led organizational change initiatives.

Ethan Berman is the founder and President of i2 Learning, a non-profit he started in 2012 to prepare K12 students for their rapidly changing world. In 2021, i2 Learning partnered with MIT Raise to develop Day of AI. Prior to i2 Learning, Ethan was a managing director of JPMorgan, and then the CEO and founder of the RiskMetrics Group a financial technology firm that went public on the New York Stock Exchange in 2008.

Tasneem Burghleh is a software engineer and technical-educational consultant currently working with MIT. She graduated in software engineering from Saudi Arabia and currently works at the intersection of technology and education, helping design and implement innovative AI and computer science learning experiences across educational institutes in the region.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem is the Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DP World and the Chairman of the Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation. His leadership spans across 83 countries, with over 119,000 employees of more than 165 distinct nationalities.

Mr bin Sulayem is a leading entrepreneur and trade industry expert, who led the rapid expansion and development of Dubai’s infrastructure and its ports and free zones. Notable among these is the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA).

Professor Cynthia Breazeal is Director of MIT RAISE and leads RAISE to advance research and innovation at the intersection of AI, social empowerment, and education and to foster diversity and inclusivity in an AI literate society. Her research investigates new ways for K-12 students to learn about AI concepts, practices and ethics by designing, programming, training and interacting with robots, AI toolkits and other technologies.

Daniella DiPaola is a PhD Student at the MIT Media Lab. Her research explores how young people interact with AI, how we can design curricula to support responsible AI use and creation, and how educational policy can guide the integration of AI into schools.

Dr. Dexter A. Galban serves as Assistant Secretary for Strategic Management, where he oversees Education Futures, Planning, Policy Research, and Programming at the Department of Education. He leads long-term reforms, innovation, AI integration, and foresight initiatives aimed at future-proofing basic education.

Jorge has spent over 15 years in education, including more than a decade in New York City Public Schools as a biology and computer science teacher, and later supporting the systemwide expansion of computer science education through the CS4All initiative. He now focuses on advancing AI literacy and empowering educators and students to use technology creatively and responsibly.

Leotes Helin works with UNICEF on harnessing digital learning innovations to transform education systems around the world.

With 28 years of experience in both UK and international educational settings, including new, evolving, and established schools, Rob Hitchings, Vice Principal at Dubai Heights Academy, brings extensive educational expertise. His career has spanned a variety of school types, including for-profit, non-profit, segregated, and government institutions, where he has taken on various leadership roles.

Dr. Dala Kakos has worked 20+ years across the World Bank, PwC, and UAE federal and local government entities including EHCD, GSEC, and KHDA. She specializes in AI-enabled, student-centered system reform and national policy integration. A Fulbright Scholar and former professor, she has led major AI-in-education initiatives, global advisory work, and international speaking engagements.

Dr. Saeed Mubarak Kharbash is the CEO of Policies, Research and Programs Sector, Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai. In this capacity, he leads the formulation and implementation of educational policies and programmes aligned with global best practices and standards. His work aims to foster innovation and ensure access to high-quality educational opportunities for all learners—spanning early childhood, school education, higher education, vocational training, and lifelong learning.

Dr. Eric Klopfer is Professor and Director of the Scheller Teacher Education Program and The Education Arcade at MIT. He is also co-director of MIT's RAISE initiative in AI education. His research focuses on technology and pedagogy for building understanding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and systems. He has special interests in games, simulations and computing as pathways to STEM learning.

A physicist by training, Malu is renowned for her engagement in education, especially in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math.

The Honorable Joseph Nsengimana is the current Minister of Education of the Republic of Rwanda. He is an experienced and forward-thinking leader with a track record of success in collaborating with governments, regulatory and multinational development agencies, philanthropic foundations, education organizations, and institutions, both at domestic, regional, and international levels. His extensive experience working with Tech Hubs, EdTech entrepreneurs, and the broad EdTech ecosystem at the local and continental levels in the use of technology to strengthen education systems. His expertise spans higher education, education technology, diversity and inclusion, policy and government affairs, and coalition building. He is passionate about youth education and empowerment as a foundation for sustainable development.

Omar bin Sultan Al Olama was appointed Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work of the United Arab Emirates in 2020. He joined the government in 2017 as Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, where he was responsible for enhancing government performance by investing the latest technologies and tools of artificial intelligence and applying them in various sectors.

Julia Reynolds-Cuéllar leads global outreach for RAISE, forging impactful alliances that scale RAISE’s content and reach worldwide. With almost two decades of experience in global partnerships, Julia’s journey began leading fieldwork for the One Laptop per Child project in Rwanda. She then served as Managing Director for the MIT-Africa Initiative, which included running MIT Global Startup Labs; and, later, as head of membership for the Jameel World Education Lab.

With over 20 years of experience in business schools, training, and both non-formal and higher education, Claudio Rivera has led and contributed to a wide range of projects across multiple countries. Over the past 12 years, he has spearheaded and collaborated on programs with universities such as MIT, University at Buffalo, BI Norwegian Business School, and Fudan, primarily through roles in management and teaching at Riga Business School.

Mohsen Saleh is Vice Principal of Innovation at Misk Schools in Riyadh, where he leads strategy and implementation across emerging technologies, AI integration, and future-focused learning design.

Óscar Sánchez Jaramillo is the Executive Director of Computadores para Educar (Computers for Education). He has previously held office in the Colombian government, serving as Vice Minister of Basic and Secondary Education and as Secretary of Education for Bogotá. Prior to his current role, he directed the Educapaz Program for Education for Peace, was a university professor, a specialized columnist on education for El Tiempo and Revista Semana Educación, and a consultant for UNESCO, UNDP, and the Carter Center.

Rupa is a seasoned non-profit executive with extensive experience in global fundraising and partnership development. With deep expertise in fundraising, strategy, and capacity building, Rupa is dedicated to empowering small yet transformative initiatives to achieve sustainable global impact.

José Armando Tavárez is a digital transformation strategist and AI-in-education leader with more than 25 years of executive and academic experience. He served as Rector of ITLA and later as a senior leader at PUCMM. He currently directs national AI initiatives at the Ministry of Education.

Susana Tomaz works at the intersection of AI, curriculum design, and future-focused education. With over 20 years’ experience across three education systems, she brings deep expertise in pedagogical leadership, educational innovation, and system-wide change.

As Futures Education and AI Lead at Westlake Girls’ High School, she leads strategic, school-wide AI integration grounded in a human-centric and pedagogically informed approach. A Fellow of IRCAI (UNESCO), she mentors educators through the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF).

Susana also leads the Day of AI Aotearoa pilot, working with local partners and Day of AI Australia to indigenise and adapt to the New Zealand context.

Hang Tran Thi Bich is the Deputy Director of the Day of AI Vietnam program for the Northern region, where she has been deeply involved since its earliest days. She helps design the national curriculum and MOOC courses for Day of AI and has led numerous training programs to support teachers in bringing AI into their classrooms. She also directly teaches Day of AI to primary and lower secondary students, ensuring that ideas are grounded in real classroom practice and student experience.

Daniel is the Chief Communications Officer of Group Communications at DP World. He is accountable for building and delivering the Group’s communication and brand strategies, alongside managing stakeholder communications across DP World Group and across all communications disciplines. Daniel also advises DP World's Group Chairman and CEO, as well as the global leadership team, on all communications and brand-related matters.

Randi Williams, Ph.D., is an AI educator and tinkerer passionate about empowering others to responsibly use AI for positive social impact. In her daily role, she works with AI researchers, policymakers, and everyday changemakers to address tech misconceptions and mitigate harm. Previously, she developed K-12 AI curricula and platforms for the Day of AI and MIT RAISE initiatives, making AI instruction available to thousands of educators worldwide.

Maxine Yang is a seasoned executive and catalyst for impact-driven change, currently serving as the CEO of CommonWealth Education Innovation Hub. With over two decades of leadership experience, her cross-sector expertise spans media, finance, education, and sustainability, driving transformative initiatives in corporate citizenship and strategic communications. She has held significant roles, including Chief Marketing & Brand Officer at Nanshan Life Insurance, Vice President at Citi Group, and Managing Editor at CommonWealth Magazine, bringing deep knowledge in areas such as ESG, branding, and international journalism.