Prof Rita Orji, PhD

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Prof. Rita Orji (PhD)

Named among the world’s top 2% of scientists by impact across all disciplines by Stanford University in 2021, 2022, and 2023, Prof. Rita Orji is a Canada Research Chair in Persuasive Technology and a Computer Science Professor at Dalhousie University, Canada, where she directs the Persuasive Computing Lab. Her research at the intersection of technology and human behaviour focuses on designing interactive technologies to empower people, improve lives, and contribute to solving many societal problems.

She has won millions of dollars from competitive grant funding from agencies and governments around the world to support her work.

With over 200 peer-reviewed papers, Prof. Orji has won over 60 prestigious awards and recognitions nationally and internationally in recognition of her work in this area. Recently, she received the Outstanding Young Computer Science Researcher Awards from Computer Science Canada and was named among the Top 150 Canadian Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Top 60 African

Women in STEM, Top 100 Canada’s Most Powerful Women, Top 100 Nigeria’s Leading Women, admitted into the Royal Society of Canada and the Global Young Academy.

She is a renowned speaker who has delivered 30 keynotes and over 100 invited talks and other presentations.

Professor. Orji is a trailblazer who is well-known for being the first to accomplish many significant milestones. She is a recognized STEM diversity ambassador who is passionate about inspiring the next generation of youths and underrepresented tech leaders, promoting research excellence, equity, diversity, and inclusion in STEM. Prof. Orji also consults and serves as a board member for many agencies.

Prof. Orji graduated as a top student with First-class honours standing in all her studies and was recognized by various governments including the Nigerian, Turkish, and Canadian Governments for her outstanding performance. She is a highly sought-after speaker and mentor who broke the barriers of growing up in a disadvantaged background and making a great impact on the global stage.

Prof. Rita Orji (PhD)

Nancy Eke-Agu, AIGP, CAITL, RMP, PMP

Nancy Eke-Agu is a distinguished AI Governance Expert, Policy Specialist, and advocate for responsible and inclusive AI, with almost two decades of combined experience in technology transformation, AI risk management and governance, and policy development.

Holding certifications as a Certified Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional (AIGP), Certified AI Transformation Leader (CAITL), Project Management Professional (PMP), and Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP), she is recognized as a leader in the AI governance and technology management space.

Nancy has worked extensively on AI governance initiatives, serving as part of the National consultation team for UNESCO on Artificial Intelligence in the Global South. Her contributions include designing ethical frameworks that ensure AI technologies align with societal values, regulatory standards, and global best practices.

She has also collaborated with policy leaders from CAIDP (Center for AI and Digital Policy) in Washington, DC, as both a Research Group member and Policy Fellow, where she contributed to the development of global AI governance reports and policy briefs on AI safety and ethics.

With a commitment to the advancement of inclusive AI, Nancy has led initiatives to increase representation in AI, particularly for women and marginalized groups, in her role as City Lead for Women in AI (WAI). Her passion for ethical AI is reflected in her graduate thesis on “Reducing Algorithmic Bias in AI: Approaches for Policy and Technology Integration,” positioning her as a leader in both academia and industry.

Nancy provides AI consulting and governance solutions to organizations, ensuring that AI systems are not only innovative but also responsible and aligned with ethical guidelines. She also teaches at the Artificial Intelligence Academy, where she fosters education on AI governance, policy, and risk management, empowering the next generation of AI leaders.

Nancy’s dedication to inclusive and ethical AI continues to shape global AI policy frameworks and inspire collaboration among stakeholders, ensuring that AI serves humanity responsibly and effectively.

Nancy Eke-Agu, AIGP, CAITL, RMP, PMP