Early Admission to INDUSTRIALIZATION 5.0

CEO, Designing Schools

Author of Designing Schools: How Design Thinking Makes YOU Irreplaceable in the Age of AI

Dr. Sabba Quidwai is a distinguished figure in the realm of education and technology, known for her innovative approach to integrating AI into learning environments and businesses in a way that enhances human agency. Her career trajectory is marked by a profound commitment to fostering cultures of innovation grounded in empathy, a principle she has championed throughout her professional journey.

Dr. Quidwai's career began in the classroom as a high school social science teacher, where she first encountered the discrepancies between traditional education and the demands of a rapidly evolving job market. This realization, coupled with her experiences during the 2007 recession, fuelled her drive to prepare students and professionals for a future that is both vibrant and secure. Her transition from education to the corporate world was marked by her role as an Education Leadership Executive at Apple. Here, she was instrumental in leading innovation, focusing on how technology could solve problems and open new opportunities for learning and professional development.

After her tenure at Apple, Dr. Quidwai founded Designing Schools, where she serves as CEO. This organization is dedicated to reimagining education by integrating AI competency with the development of irreplaceable human skills. 

Her work at Designing Schools emphasizes:

AI Literacy: Teaching students and professionals how to understand and leverage AI technologies effectively.

Soft Skills Development: Cultivating skills like public speaking, self-awareness, and goal setting, which are crucial in an AI-driven world.

Design Thinking: Utilizing this methodology to address complex challenges and explore new opportunities, ensuring that AI integration is human-centered and empathetic. Her research on design thinking and its application in preparing for an AI world was the subject of a documentary released in 2020.

Dr. Quidwai's approach to AI integration is not about replacing human capabilities but augmenting them. 

As a keynote speaker, she shares insights on AI's transformative impact on education and the importance of maintaining a human touch amidst technological advancements[8]. She has led workshops and address audiences in Honduras, Singapore, and the UAE.

Dr. Quidwai's vision is to create a future where technology and human experience coexist harmoniously. She believes that AI should be seen as a team member, allowing more time for what truly matters—human connection, creativity, and empathy. Her work continues to inspire educators, leaders, and learners to embrace AI not just as a tool but as a catalyst for personal and professional growth, ensuring that everyone is equipped with the mindset and skills to thrive in an AI-augmented world.

Dr. Anand Rao, a distinguished figure in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital studies, currently serves as the Chair of Digital Studies at the University of Mary Washington. His career, spanning over three decades, has been marked by a profound commitment to preparing students and professionals for an AI-driven future, focusing on communication skills, social media proficiency, marketing strategies, and the innovative use of AI technologies like chatbots to support business development, operations, and marketing. Dr. Rao's involvement in the National Communication Association’s (NCA) Collaboratory on Artificial Intelligence highlights his commitment to exploring AI's impact on communication pedagogy. He leads discussions on AI Chatbots in Communication, focusing on how these tools can be adapted for educational purposes. This initiative aims to develop community-driven responses to AI integration, ensuring that future communication professionals are adept at leveraging AI for enhanced interaction and understanding.

Outside of academia, Dr. Rao has significantly contributed to helping small businesses adapt to AI. His work with George Mason University, where he has engaged with the community through workshops and seminars, underscores his dedication to making AI accessible to all. He has facilitated sessions like "AI and Small Business," where he discusses practical applications of AI, from automation to predictive analytics, tailored for small business owners. These efforts are part of his broader mission to foster innovation and support responsible AI applications in the business ecosystem.

He is the co-editor and author of Chat(GPT): Navigating the Impact of Generative AI Technologies on Educational Theory and Practice. His co-authored piece, Augmented Debate-Centered Instruction: A Novel Research Agenda for Responsible AI Integration in Education was published in the Proceedings of Machine Learning Research. 

He is currently under contract with Oxford University Press to develop generative AI instructional materials for Communications professors and is working on a book on AI pluralism as well as Handbook on AI and Communication.

Dr. Rao is currently working as an advisor on AI to the Virginia court system and is working on books on AI Pluralism and a Handbook on Adapting to AI for Communications professors.