Spring 2026 Research Group


The Spring 2026 CAIDP Team is comprised of 

  • The Policy Group (PG) - Global AI Policy
    • Agile Team
    • Council of Europe Team
    • European Union Team
    • G7/G20 Team
    • Global Majority Team
    • OECD Team
    • UNESCO / UN Team
  • The Legal Group (LG) - US AI Law and Policy
  • Teaching Fellows (TF) - Manage the AI Policy Clinic
  • Team Leaders (TL) - Coordinate the AI Research Group Teams
  • The Research Group (RG) - Conduct AI policy research, writing, and analysis

Information about the members of our extraordinary team is available below.

 

Merve Hickok

CAIDP President

CAIDP Policy Director

Policy Group (PG) Director

 

 Marc Rotenberg

CAIDP Executive Director

CAIDP Founder

 

Christabel Randolph

CAIDP Associate Director 

Legal Group (LG) Coordinator

 

Dr. Grace Thomson

AI Policy Clinic Director

 

Ren Bin Lee Dixon

Policy Group (PG) Coordinator

 

 

Merve Hickok, CAIDP President and Policy Director

 

Merve is the President and Policy Director at Center for AI & Digital Policy. Merve is a policy expert, with testimony to the US Congress, State of California, New York City and Detroit City councils. She holds policy expert positions at UNESCO Experts without Borders, the Council of Europe, and OECD AI. She is a Council on Foreign Relations – Hitachi Fellow, with research on US-Japan AI policy and governance. Her contributions and perspective have featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, Guardian, CNN, Forbes, Bloomberg, Wired, Scientific American, The Atlantic, Politico, Protocol,  The Economist and MIT Technology Review. Merve authored the book ‘From Trustworthy AI Principles to Public Procurement Practices’ - first book to provide an in-depth analysis of the public procurement of AI systems.

 

Merve Hickok is the founder of AIethicist. Her work focuses on impact of AI systems on individuals and society - particularly the impact on fundamental rights, democratic values, and social justice. At University of Michigan, she is the data ethics lecturer at School of Information, the Responsible Data and AI Advisor at Michigan Institute for Data, AI and Society, and an affiliated faculty at Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy (Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program).

Merve also works with several non-profit organizations globally to advance both the academic and professional research in this field for underrepresented groups. She has been recognized by a number of organizations - most recently with Lifetime Achievement Award - Women in AI of the Year - 2023, as Runner-up for Responsible AI Leader of the Year - 2022 (Women in AI) and as one of the 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics™ – 2021.


Marc Rotenberg, CAIDP

Executive Director and Founder

 

Marc Rotenberg is Executive Director and Founder of the Center for AI and Digital Policy. He is a leading global expert in data protection, open government, and AI policy. He has served on many international advisory panels, including the OECD AI Group of Experts. Marc helped draft the Universal Guidelines for AI, a widely endorsed human rights framework for the governance of Artificial Intelligence. Marc is the co-editor of The AI Policy Sourcebook (CAIDP 2025) and the AI and Democratic Values Index (CAIDP 2025). Marc is also the coauthor of several textbooks including Privacy and Society (West Academic 2016). He teaches privacy law and the GDPR at Georgetown Law and AI at Georgetown University. Marc has spoken frequently before the US Congress, the European Parliament, the OECD, UNESCO, judicial conferences, and international organizations. Marc has directed international comparative law studies on Privacy and Human Rights, Cryptography and Liberty, and Artificial Intelligence and Democratic Values. Marc publishes widely in academic journals. Marc is a graduate of Harvard College, Stanford Law School, and Georgetown Law. He is an elected member of the American Bar Foundation, the American Law Institute, the Council on Foreign Relations, and the European Law Institute. 

 

Email Marc Rotenberg

Linkedin profile

Georgetown Law bio

Recent publications



CAIDP Policy Group (PG) - Fall 2025

Policy Group Coordinator

Julian Theseira 

 

Julian Theseira coordinates the CAIDP Policy Group, managing workflows and reviewing AI policy submissions to countries around the world. Julian has been involved with CAIDP since September 2022. Julian also coordinates the Climate Action Network's (CAN) Global Stocktake (GST) Working Group, coordinating global environmental civil society organisations' submissions to the GST, the evaluation mechanism of the Paris Agreement, and leading engagements with country parties to the Paris Agreement. As a former management consultant with Deloitte, Julian worked with clients, including Fortune Global 500 companies, to enable their business continuity and success in an era of technological and other disruptions. Julian managed global social media campaigns and wrote multiple diplomatic reports on various multilateral meetings during previous experiences with international organisations in Geneva, Switzerland. Julian was an Erasmus Mundus scholar at Charles University, Czechia, and Jagiellonian University, Poland, and had graduated Phi Beta Kappa with High Honours from the College of Social Studies at Wesleyan University, USA, where he was a Freeman Asian Scholar. 

 


Agile Team

Ren Ben Lee Dixon (Agile Team Leader)

 

Ren Bin Lee Dixon is an AI policy researcher specializing in the societal and regulatory implications of AI. She focuses on crafting policy analyses that support responsible AI governance and informed decision-making. She has published policy briefs on AI incident reporting with the Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET) and has advised organizations such as the UK Information Commissioner’s Office, UNESCO, and OHCHR on AI governance. Ren Bin holds a Master’s in Public Policy with a concentration in AI policy from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota, where she also guest lectures on AI policy topics. Before transitioning into AI policy, she built a career in marketing and communication across Malaysia, China, Denmark, and the United States. Her international experience has given her a nuanced understanding of global affairs and a diverse perspective that informs her research and analysis.

 

Idil I. Kaner (Agile Group Team Leader)

 

Idil is a qualified Attorney in New York and a Solicitor in England & Wales. She holds an LLB in Politics, Philosophy, and Law from King's College London, where she served as an Undergraduate Research Fellow in Digital Humanitarianism, exploring blockchain's legal and ethical implications. Idil also advised tech companies on AI Ethics, helping integrate ethical principles into their products. Currently, she works as a Legal Consultant in Oman, specializing in the intersection of law and technology.

 

Aysu Dericioğlu Egemen

 

Aysu Dericioğlu Egemen is an AI ethicist, editor, patent and trademark attorney, and educator with a multidisciplinary background bridging IP, design, ethics and AI. She holds a Business degree from Bilkent University and a Master’s in Industrial Design from Istanbul Technical University, and is currently pursuing a PhD in ethics by design at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University Design Department. She has over 15 years of teaching experience, currently serving as an instructor at Özyeğin, Bilgi, and Mimar Sinan Universities, where she teaches courses on intellectual property, AI ethics and AI literacy for designers. Between 2009 and 2019, she served as a Board Member, consultant, and manager at Ankara Patent Bureau, providing consultancy to Turkey’s top 500 companies, startups, and SMEs. Aysu comes from a family that has contributed to the development of IP law in Turkey across three generations. Aysu is the editor-in-chief of Nioo AI Magazine, a human-centered AI literacy publication. She also leads research and co-design efforts on Nioo Network which is a “turstwothy AI and co-design agency”. She provides customized training programs, speak at conferences, and advise institutions on AI ethics, literacy, governance and IP strategy.  She is a member of UNESCO Türkiye AI Monitoring Group and CAIDP (Center for AI and Digital Policy) Policy Group Fellow. In 2025, she served as research team leader at CAIDP and also contributed to the Hong Kong section of the AI and Democratic Values Index (AIDV). Aysu is the author of “Yap Yapma Kitabı” (2023), a practical guidebook on IP and generative AI for designers, AI developers and users, and creatives. She also co-authored the Turkish chapter in “Design Rights, Functionality and Scope of Protection” (AIPPI Law Series, Kluwer, 2017 & 2022).

 

Tran Vu Ha Minh

 

Tran Vu Ha Minh is the Founder & CEO of HaMinh Initiatives Co. Ltd., where she established Humane-AI Asia, Vietnam’s first boutique consulting firm dedicated to responsible and ethical AI. She also serves as Responsible AI Lead Advisor at FPT Software’s AI and a responsible AI speakers & lecuturer, contributing to national & international AI governance and ethics initiatives. Ha Minh is an experienced implementor of ISO 42001 AI management system, a tech working group member of several organizations & professional networks in Vietnam, and an experienced trainer, delivering courses on AI governance, risk management, and ethics at FPT Software and leading universities in Vietnam. She holds degrees in Law and Management from Hitotsubashi University, Professional Accounting from Aoyama Gakuin University (Tokyo, Japan), her work bridges legal, business, and technological domains to promote responsible AI in Southeast Asia.

 

Maria Lungu

 

Maria Lungu is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Karsh Institute of Democracy at the University of Virginia. MAria holds a PhD from Florida Atlantic University, a J.D. from the University of Tennessee, and an MBA from Belmont University. With experience in the Metropolitan Public Defender’s Office and as a legal consultant for Stepping Stones International and the UN, Maria now conducts research at the Center for AI and Digital Policy. Her work examines AI in law, public policy, and criminal justice, focusing on risk assessment, predictive policing, and democratic accountability. Her research is widely published.

 

Amir Noy

 

Amir   Noy   is   a   lawyer   specializing   in   the   field   of   data   governance, telecommunications, and intellectual property laws and regulations, in particular with regard to data protection, information security and privacy compliance, media, digital advertising, biometrics, and artificial intelligence. Amir is a PhD candidate at Reichman University (Israel), with a primary research focus on law and linguistics, and the intertextuality of legal discourse and its hermeneutics. Amir also serves as a teaching assistant in “Legal Systems” and “Ethical Aspects of Algorithms” courses. Amir serves as the Tel Aviv KnowledgeNet Chapter Chair of the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).

 


Council of Europe

Sharvari Dhote (Council of Europe Team Leader)

 

Sharvari Dhote is a data scientist  at Datastreamer specializing in natural language processing (NLP) and a multidisciplinary researcher with over a decade of experience in new technology development. She holds dual Phds in Mechanical Engineering.

Sharvari is passionate about AI policy, having completed courses in AI ethics, bias, and fairness. Her focus includes investigating bias and fairness in NLP systems, ensuring the development of equitable AI solutions. She actively led local machine learning discussion groups, fostering community engagement on these critical topics. She is eager to shape policies that prioritize fairness, accountability, and transparency in the development and deployment of AI technologies.

 

Uche Anyamele (Council of Europe Team Leader)

 

Uche is a technology lawyer and an international trade law consultant with experience in different jurisdictions. She is the Managing Partner at Hakakire Legal FCT, Abuja and a Senior Research Fellow (AI Lead) at the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA). Uche researches and advises on law and technology, including Artificial Intelligence, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), climate change and central bank digital currencies. (CBDC)s.

 

Zoi Roupakia

 

Zoi Roupakia is an AI technology and policy expert with 20 years' combined experience in machine learning research, innovation policy, and AI governance. A Policy Affiliate at Cambridge Industrial Innovation Policy, member of the AI Policy Group at the Center for AI and Digital Policy, and former Policy and AI Research Lead at the University of Cambridge, she supports global innovation policy work with organizations such as the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). She is the lead author of a forthcoming brief on AI governance in Southeast Asia with UNIDO and of the Manifesto for Global Industrial Safety as part of a UNIDO initiative.  Her work bridges deep technical expertise—including pioneering work at Google, where she was awarded a patent in voice conversion, and speech recognition research at the University of Cambridge—with strategic insight to advance responsible and inclusive AI governance. She was recently named a Future Leader by the Foundation for Science and Technology.

 

Anushka Sachdev

 

Anushka Sachdev is an Indian lawyer presently working as a foreign lawyer in Technology and IP law in Belgium. Anushka completed her LLM in IP and Technology Law from Munich Intellectual Property Law Center (MIPLC) in Germany and earned an LLB from National Law University, Delhi. Apart from her present work in Belgium, she has worked in Tier 1 law firms in India. Her work has majorly been around the laws of Copyright, Data Privacy, IT, AI and Trademarks. She has experience working with clients from diverse and regulated sectors such as Media, entertainment, e-commerce, technology, and healthcare.

 

Sara Concetta Santoriello

 

Sara C. Santoriello is a Research Fellow in Political Science at the University of Naples “Federico II”, where she serves on the Editorial Committee of Rivista di Digital Politics (il Mulino). As a member of Game of Tech Collective, she organized seminar series and workshops on technology and its social impacts. In 2023, she was Visiting Fellow at the Data Justice Lab at Cardiff University. Her research focuses on the ethics of AI, digital corporations, and platform justice. She is also Editor-in-Chief of Feminisms on LiberoPensiero.eu, where she writes about politics, media, and technology. She holds an MA in Mass Media and Politics from the University of Bologna and has previously been a trainee at the Permanent Delegation of Italy to UNESCO in Paris and at the European Parliament Liaison Office in Rome.

 


European Union Team

Iakovina Kindylidi (EU Team Leader)

 

Iakovina Kindylidi is a Greek lawyer based in Portugal, specializing in data, cybersecurity, and intellectual property, with a focus on emerging technologies like AI, Web3, smart contracts, and NFTs. She is a senior associate in the TMT practice at Viera de Almeida (VdA) and a product owner for VdA's deliverables in the Center for Responsible AI. Iakovina also teaches Law & Technology as a lecturer at NOVA School of Law and is an IEEE CertifAIEd Lead Assessor. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Law & AI Governance.

 

Carissa Mears (EU Team Leader)

 

Carissa Mears is a Toronto based lawyer and consultant with nearly a decade’s worth of experience. Her interests are at the intersection of artificial intelligence, privacy and data governance. She is called to the bar in Ontario, Canada, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago with work experience in North America and the Caribbean within a variety of industries. As a lifelong learner she is pursuing an LLM in Privacy and Cybersecurity Law at Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto where she has written a significant research paper on AI regulation within the US, the EU and Canada. As a Google Women Techmaker Ambassador she mentors women who are interested in technology careers. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Law with Honors from the University of the West Indies.

 

Christian Stiegler

 

Christian Stiegler is an internationally renowned researcher and expert on emerging technologies. He is the Director of Guiding Light, an organization promoting ethical and sustainable technological practices. Dr. Stiegler has held professorships in the UK and Germany, including at Brunel University London and University of the West of England. He is the author of influential works on digital media and technology, including The 360° Gaze (MIT Press). His research focuses on the ethical implications of artificial intelligence, extended reality, and related technologies. As a leading voice in the global 'Tech for Good' movement, he consults for organizations such as the European Commission, UNICEF and GIZ to help foster an equitable technological future.

 

Giovanna Jaramillo-Gutierrez

 

Giovanna is a data scientist and AI policy researcher consultant. She is part of the EU team within the Center for AI and Digital Policy’s Policy Group (US) and serves as Research Team Lead at Arcadia Impact’s AI Governance Task Force in the UK, focusing on frontier AI risk management and incident monitoring. Beyond research, she teaches AI and data science at allWomen.tech and facilitates the Center for AI Safety’s ‘AI Safety, Ethics and Society’ course. She is a ForHumanity Certified Auditor (FHCA) for the EU AI Act and a Certified AI Governance Professional (AIGP) by the IAPP. Previously, she spent more than a decade at the World Health Organization (WHO), leading outbreak analytics and surveillance during public health crises, including pandemic influenza, Ebola and COVID-19.

 

Caroline Lancelot (PhD) is a Social and Behavioral Scientist conducting academic research on the impact of Technology on Society, with a focus on the psychological, behavioral, human, ethical, and societal issues associated with technology development, deployment, and use. 

She is recognized as a Privacy Leader (Academia) and was given the PICCASO Privacy Awards in 2023. Prof. Lancelot is the author of 50+ articles, book chapters, and communication articles in peer-reviewed, high-profile academic journals and conferences. In addition to her contribution to the Policy Group at the Center for AI and Digital Policy, Caroline is collaborating with the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), where she serves as a member of the European Advisory Board. Caroline is an advocate for human rights, human dignity, and human well-being, as well as for responsible, trustworthy, and sustainable tech and AI practices, at the intersection of emerging technologies and ethics. In her research, Caroline has worked with a variety of organizations such as NGOs, companies (e.g., IBM), and regulators (e.g., the French Data Protection Authority-CNIL and the European Commission). Caroline completed her PhD in Social Sciences from the Paris Dauphine University (France) and currently resides in Nantes, France.

 

Rémy Ibarcq

 

Rémy Ibarcq is a data and AI professional passionate about the transformative impact of AI and data on business and society. As a Data & Analytics Specialist at L'Oréal, he manages data governance projects and develops BI solutions. His expertise in AI governance extends to roles as a Global AI Policy Researcher at CAIDP, an AI project collaborator at Data For Good—where he explores AI’s benefits through data science—and an AI Ethics Facilitator at Latitudes, raising awareness of AI’s societal challenges. Rémy is known for his strong communication and problem-solving skills, honed in diverse, multicultural environments.

 

Andrea Palumbo

 

Andrea Palumbo currently works as researcher on projects financed by the European Commission at the Centre for IT and IP Law (CiTiP) of KU Leuven, where he also pursues a PhD on the protection of fundamental rights in risk-based EU regulation of digital technologies. Before joining CiTiP, Andrea has been working in law firms in the areas of ICT and financial services law, as an adviser for a trade association, and in national and EU financial regulatory authorities. Andrea holds a master’s of law from LUISS University and an advanced LLM in IP and ICT Law from KU Leuven.

 

Artem Kobrin is a privacy and AI compliance lawyer with 10 years of experience, including significant roles as a privacy legislative compliance consultant at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and senior privacy specialist at Ukraine's largest bank “PrivatBank”. He holds various certifications, including FIP, AIGP, CIPT, CIPM, CIPP/E, CIPP/US, CIPP/C, CIPP/A, CDPSE, and OneTrust Fellow of Privacy Technology. He is a co-author of the first GDPR compliance book in Ukraine. He is a member of the Expert Committee on the Development of Artificial Intelligence in Ukraine under the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine.


G7/G20 team

Tomiris Amirova (G7/G20 Team Leader)

 

Tomiris is an Academic Associate at the Florence School of Regulation, European University Institute. Previously, she held an internship position at the Centre for European Policy Studies, where her responsibilities included supporting stakeholder engagement through research and event coordination for the EU-U.S. Trade and Technology Council and the EU Global Gateway. Tomiris holds a Master of Arts in Transnational Governance with a specialization in Digitalization, Technology and Media from the European University Institute’s School of Transnational Governance in Florence, Italy. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations from Nazarbayev University in Astana, Kazakhstan.

 

Sedef Akinli Kocak (G7/G20 Team Leader)

 

Dr. Sedef Akinli Kocak is a recognized leader in artificial intelligence with over a decade of experience driving AI adoption, advancing responsible AI practices, and shaping technology policy. She currently serves as the Director of AI Professional Development at the Vector Institute, where she leads strategic programs that build workforce capacity and support the integration of advanced AI technologies across industries. Dr. Akinli Kocak is known for designing and delivering high-impact AI initiatives that align with business objectives. She also serves in advisory capacities to several national and international organizations committed to ethical and sustainable technology development. Her contributions to the AI ecosystem have been widely acknowledged. She was named Leader of the Year 2025 in the Women in AI North America: AI for Good Awards, listed in the Top 25 Women in AI: Canada Edition, and nominated for the DMZ Women of the Year Award in 2022. In addition to her role at Vector, Dr. Akinli Kocak was appointed Adjunct Professor at Ontario Tech University, where she supports research and education through the Trustworthy AI Lab. She is an active member of ACM, IEEE, Engineers for a Sustainable World, Women in AI, and AI4Good.

 

Ruoyi Lu

 

Ruoyi Lu is an associate at Linklaters whose work operates at the intersection of technology, national security, and regulatory law. His practice focuses on guiding global technology leaders through China's intricate regulatory landscape, particularly concerning AI governance, data security, and the national security implications of cross-border operations. He has advised on compliance with pan-Asia data protection and cybersecurity regulations and provided specialised regulatory due diligence for M&A and fundraising transactions in sensitive sectors.

Beyond his advisory role, Ruoyi is actively involved in shaping policy frameworks. He contributes to policy advocacy and lobbying efforts on behalf of several major industry associations and business chambers on AI governance and data localisation issues.

Ruoyi’s focus on technology regulation is rooted in his academic background. He holds an LL.B. from the China University of Political Science and Law, where his thesis explored the regulatory pathways for medical artificial intelligence from a data security perspective. Ruoyi holds the PRC Law Profession Qualification and is a Certified Information Privacy Professional - Europe (CIPP/E).

 

Shuvarthi Bhattacharjee

 

Shuvarthi Bhattacharjee is a Senior Consultant in the Government and Public Services domain with a leading global consultancy firm. He has over ten years of international experience in academia and the not-for-profit sector, focusing on projects related to digital health, AI governance, healthcare management, evidence synthesis and participatory research.

He contributes to global initiatives and organizations like IEEE, the IHME Global Burden of Disease study and the UN Global Digital Compact. He currently serves as Vice-Chair of the IEEE AgeTech initiative’s Study Group on Wearable Devices for Healthy Ageing.

Shuvarthi is completing his PhD in co-designing digital health technologies at the University of Brighton, UK, in 2025. He holds a background in public health and an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering. Since 2024, he has been engaged with CAIDP, first as a Research Group Member and later as a Team Leader, earning distinction in both roles. He is dedicated to fostering collaboration and innovation at the intersection of health, technology and policy.

 

Humeyra Cirit

 

Humeyra Cirit is a licensed attorney admitted to practice law in both New York and Istanbul. She holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in National Security and Cybersecurity Law from George Washington University Law School in Washington, DC, and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Bilkent University Faculty of Law in Ankara, Turkey. Mrs. Cirit is CIPP/US certified and a member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP). Actively engaged in the evolving AI sector. She currently practices law in the USA.

 

Caroline Friedman Levy

 

Caroline Friedman Levy is a clinical psychologist, researcher and policy specialist with expertise applying behavioral science to policy implementation. She holds a B.A. from Cornell University, a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Vermont, and an M.Sc. in health, community and development from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She recently co-led the research team that published "Liability as a Policy Lever in AI Governance: Amplifying the Global Discussion" for the Policy Network on AI (PNAI) at the UN-convened Internet Governance Forum (IGF). Her policy background includes serving as a Fellow at the UK Department for Education, as a Research-to-Policy Collaboration Scholar at Penn State's Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center, and as an appointee to the consultative network which advised the UN Secretary-General's High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence.

 

Nam Phuong Ngo 

 

Nam Phuong Ngo is a PhD candidate in Law at the University of Liverpool, UK, focusing on competition law and the regulation of emerging technologies. Phuong graduated as the Valedictorian of her Bachelor of Laws programme at Ho Chi Minh City University of Law, Vietnam, and completed her Master of Laws at the University of Liverpool as a Hodgson Law Scholar. Before her PhD, Phuong practised at a leading commercial law firm in Vietnam, where she provided legal advice on business and regulatory matters. Dedicated to interdisciplinary collaboration, Phuong aims to advance legal frameworks that address the complexities of emerging technologies.

 

Global Majority

Brenda Maina (Global Majority Team Leader)

 

Brenda Maina is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya. She holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Law and a Bachelor of Laws Degree from Kenyatta University. She works as an In-House Counsel where she main focus is on legal research, policy development, AI and Data. Prior to being an inhouse counsel, Brenda has also worked various law firms in Kenya. Brenda is a writer in a leading newspaper in Kenya where she contributes on various topical issues.  Her main interest lies in the intersection between AI, Policy and Data Compliance, how the three fields can be combined while striking a balance between law, ethics and open AI. She has a certification from on Data Protection from Strathmore University. Brenda has received the CAIDP AI Policy certification and the CAIDP Advanced Policy Group Certification.

 

Ruofei Wang (Global Majority Team Leader)

 

Ruofei Wang has been focusing on AI, tech, and Internet governance as policy analyst and researcher. Her research interests centre on the intersection of AI governance, global collaboration, and international peace. She wishes to continue to dedicate her career to advancing safe, ethical, and beneficial use and development of emerging tech through high quality, high impact policy research and engagement.

 

Melodena Stephens

 

Melodena Stephens is the Professor of Innovation & Technology Governance at the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government, Dubai, UAE. She uses design thinking and advocacy to bridge science literacy and policy gaps. She consults and trains in strategy, focusing on themes like agile and anticipatory government, innovation strategy and policy, and crisis management.  On tech governance, she focuses on frontier technology, working with entities like IEEE SA, the Council of Europe, governments and the private sector. She is the author of the AI Enabled Business: A Smart Decision Kit, and Anticipatory Governance: Shaping Public Value. More at www.melodena.com

 

Waridah Makena

 

Waridah Makena is a legal and compliance specialist working to bridge the gap between responsible technology and human-centered policy. Waridah works at the intersection of Emerging Technology and Finance to build ethical, scalable compliance systems. A certified expert in AI governance, Privacy Operations, Data Protection and Anti-Money Laundering, she’s shaped policy at the United Nations level, drafted corporate policies, implemented KYC/KYB/EDD processes, deployed RegTech software and developed training programs on AI alignment and Governance. She continues to draft policy/implement projects for companies and states ensuring ethical and secure AI integration (KYC screening, Fraud detection tools) and generally, ensure compliance with global regulatory frameworks. Reach out for a chat if interested in working together.

 

Samantha Khoo

 

Samantha Khoo is a researcher in cyber and technology policy at the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia. Her work focuses on cybersecurity, social media regulation, and artificial intelligence governance, with particular attention to the implications of digital safety and security sector governance in Southeast Asia. She has published a thematic brief on regional cybersecurity and several other analyses addressing emerging challenges in the governance of digital technologies. She holds a Master’s degree in Development Studies from the Institut de Hautes Études Internationales et du Développement (IHEID) in Geneva, where her research examined the relationship between artificial intelligence and human rights in the context of large language models (LLMs). She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Modern Languages (French and Spanish) from the University of Essex. Samantha was selected as a Fellow in the 2025 YSEALI Artificial Intelligence Governance Cohort, through which she contributes to advancing regional dialogue on the responsible development and regulation of AI. Her work is guided by a commitment to strengthening policy frameworks that safeguard security, ethics, and rights in the digital age.

 

Vivek S. Rana

 

Vivek S. Rana is an adjunct faculty member at the Kathmandu University School of Management, where he teaches Graduate courses in Artificial Intelligence and Strategy. 

A Digital Enterprise Architect by practice, he works at the intersection of AI and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), helping governments and partners design secure, interoperable platforms for identity, payments, and data exchange. 

With foundations in Electrical Engineering and advanced study in e-Governance, Digital Transformation, and Artificial Intelligence, Vivek specializes in translating public-policy objectives into scalable, user-centric digital services. His interests include AI governance and ethics, open standards, and the use of data to improve accountability and service delivery. He is committed to building digital systems that are inclusive, resilient, and designed for the public good.

 

Paola Galvez Callirgos

 

Paola is a recognized tech policy consultant with over a decade of experience influencing and fostering human-centric governance across private, public, and multilateral sectors. A graduate of the University of Oxford with a Master of Public Policy, her expertise spans AI ethics with a focus on skills, gender, and democraty, as well as cybersecurity, privacy, and digital rights. Beginning her career at Microsoft, where she worked for 5 years, Paola went on to provide strategic counsel to the public policy divisions of major tech companies including Google, Amazon Web Services, Meta, Uber, and Airbnb. In 2021, she was appointed regulatory advisor to Peru's Secretary of Digital Transformation, where she helped shape the country's digital policy framework. Since 2023, Paola has been based in Paris, where she collaborates with international organizations including the OECD and UNESCO. Her continuous advocacy for human rights in the digital age has established her as a sought-after keynote speaker at global conferences and policy forums.

 


OECD Team

Tatiana Zasheva (OECD Team Leader)

 

Tatiana is a public policy and international development professional with experience in digital policy research and regulation of emerging technologies. Prior to joining CAIDP, she represented the national telecommunications authority in key ICT and digital development fora, working groups and expert bodies, including at the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. She currently works with the Association of European Businesses in Russia. Her professional interests lie at the intersection of governance, technology, and risk management. Tatiana received the CAIDP AI Policy Group certification in December 2024.

 

Eddie Liywalii (OECD Team Leader)

 

Eddie Liywalii is an IT/AI Policy expert with a Master of Engineering in ICT Policy, Regulation and Management. He is a lecturer in the computer science at Copperbelt University and consultant in AI policy. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Ethics of AI with a focus on value sensitive design (VSD) in artificial intelligence (AI) to address ethical issues in the implementation of smart traffic signal control (STSC) systems in smart cities at University of Pretoria in South Africa. His areas of interest are AI/ML ethics, AI governance, IoT, Smart Cities, Intelligent Traffic Control System, Value Sensitive Design and Philosophy of Human-Technology relations particularly AI.

 

Nayyara Rahman

 

Nayyara Rahman is a technology management professional with a focus on digital civil rights, specifically data protection and privacy. She was named a Fellow of the Center for AI and Digital Policy in 2024. Her work in translating data protection via a tech-driven solution was selected for Pakistan's second AWS AI/ML reactor, and was also selected for presentation at the International Anti-Corruption Academy's Regional Alumni Conference. In 2022, Nayyara Rahman became a Program Envoy for ITU's 'Women In Cyber' Program, to make technology, and specifically, cybersecurity more inclusive and diverse. She was also invited to share her findings on data management and privacy via two workshops at the Bits and Baüme Conference 2022.She is active as a researcher, speaker and university faculty member. She is the author of whitepapers which analyze the applicability of data protection laws in context of territory, with a focus on divides between the Global North and South. Her core interest areas, transparency and accountability, have also been addressed through the lens of responsible data management. She presented her learning on the negotiated relationship between surveillance and privacy at the Freedom Not Fear Conference, Brussels 2023 and 2024, and is part of All Tech Is Human's Expert Working Group on Cyber and Democracy. Nayyara Rahman is a graduate of Pakistan's most prestigious business school, the IBA.

 

Marta Bieńkiewicz

 

Marta Bieńkiewicz works as Policy and Partnerships Manager at the Cooperative AI Foundation. She is a certified Tech Steward and an affiliate of the Center for AI and Digital Policy and the Z-Inspection: registered_trademark: Trustworthy AI Initiative. Marta holds a PhD in human neuroscience and has led European projects at the intersection of cutting-edge science and tech for over a decade.

Sukaa Latchumanan

 

Sukaa Latch is a government affairs and public policy professional. An expert in international advocacy and global stakeholder engagement, her career spans both public and private sectors, with expertise in technology and economic policy. She was a trade negotiator at Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, and advanced foreign trade diplomacy initiatives across Latin America, Russia, Central Asia and the APEC fora. Her passion for ethical AI stems from her time fronting tech policy advocacy at Singapore’s leading technology industry association. Sukaa is an ISACA She-Leads-Tech Ambassador, championing women in technology. She is also an International Fellow with the Center of Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)'s Abshire-Inamori Leadership Academy.

 

Nada Alwadi 

 

Nada Alwadi is a Ph.D. student at Virginia Tech’s School of International and Public Affairs, where she researches Artificial Intelligence Governance in the Arab Gulf States. Her dissertation explores the future of governance in the digital era, focusing on how emerging technologies such as AI are reshaping power dynamics, policymaking, and societal development.  She previously served as a Team Leader and Research Group Member at the Center for AI and Digital Policy (CAIDP), where she earned an Advanced Certificate in AI Policy. She also completed a professional course with the Center for AI Safety, strengthening her expertise in AI ethics, safety, and risk mitigation. Currently, Nada is a country researcher for the second edition of the Global Index on Responsible AI (GIRAI).   At Virginia Tech, Nada worked as a Graduate Researcher on a university-wide “Tech for Humanities” initiative, authoring six policy case studies that were integrated into undergraduate curricula, simplifying complex AI governance issues for classroom learning. In addition to her academic and professional accomplishments, Nada is an award-winning journalist and storyteller, passionate about the intersection of technology, governance, and human rights. Her work aims to foster global conversations around digital rights and the ethical implications of emerging technologies on governance and policy. 

Dila Sen

 

Dila has been a Senior Compliance Specialist at C&R for 5 years. She is a sworn translator and qualified lawyer in Türkiye who was admitted to the Union of Turkish Bar Association in 2012. Following this, she worked as a lawyer in different law firms, industries and also in the biggest asset management company in Türkiye and has more than 10 years of working experience.

She has been leading and managing several global requirements projects for clients and supports them with their AI, battery and pressure equipment-related compliance challenges globally. She specializes in research and monitoring legislative and regulatory activity related to all aspects of our product and topic coverage. She also works on special customer consulting and assessment projects that cover international standards and regulatory activity.

She holds a Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) from Yeditepe University, Türkiye, where she received a full scholarship based on her high score on the national exam. She continued her academic studies with a European Master in Law and Economics, where she studied in three different universities and was awarded triple master’s degrees from Bologna University (Italy), Ghent University (Belgium), and Haifa University (Israel). Additionally, she has a B.A. in Communication from Istanbul University, Türkiye.

 


UN / UNESCO Team

 

Dirk Brand (UN / UNESCO Team Leader)

 

Dirk Brand (BComm LLB LLM LLD) is an independent legal consultant, responsible AI advocate and an Extraordinary Senior Lecturer at the School of Public Leadership, Stellenbosch University, and often lectures in Germany, Italy and Romania. He has published widely, and lecture and consult in the fields of AI ethics and law, constitutional law, data protection.   He was the leader of the LegalAIzers team who won the First St.Gallen Grand Challenge in Switzerland on the application of the EU AI Act (July 2023). He is involved with CAIDP since February 2023 and is now Policy Group leader responsible for the UN/UNESCO team.

 

UN / UNESCO Team

Pat Szubryt (UNESCO/UN Team Leader)

 

Pat Szubryt is an influential keynote and TEDx speaker, AI strategist and consultant. He is also a visiting lecturer at the University of Chester, professional researcher, and panellist. He excels in the strategic implications of AI/ML and GenAI and is known for his inspirational leadership and positive influence on AI implementation in regulated environments. With over two decades of experience in senior leadership at organizations such as JP Morgan, HSBC, IBM, InfoSys, Marsh McLennan, and Waters Corporation, he brings a valuable perspective to the business and technological fields, enhancing organizations, their operations, through responsible application of AI systems and establishing Centres of Excellence. An MIT alumnus with an Executive Diploma in AI Leadership, he holds B.Sc. (Hons) in Computer Science, M.Sc. (Hons) in Management, MBA (Hons), and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) in the field of AI in Business Process Management. Driven by curiosity and enthusiasm, he engages in thought-provoking discussions and poses insightful questions, which ultimately led him to embark on his podcasting journey.

 

Alireza Saebi

 

Alireza Saebi is an AI consultant and researcher with expertise in Natural Language Processing (NLP), Social Network Analysis (SNA), and Digital Humanism. He has led projects on AI-powered solutions and translated the book "Perspectives on Digital Humanism" into Persian to bridge knowledge gaps. As a former CAIDP Team Leader, he guided AI policy discussions and research. He has worked in academia, software development, and project management, and most recently, he focused on promoting ethics in AI and researching transparent and inclusive technologies.

 

Tatjana Titareva

 

Tatjana Titareva, PhD, is a Staff Scientist at the AI Policy Lab, Umeå University, Sweden. She leads the United Nations Higher Education Sustainability Initiatives (HESI) Action Group (AG) on the Futures of Higher Education and AI, specifically the Implementation Group (IG) on “AI Ethics, Safety, and Inclusivity in Higher Education,” and is the member of the Presidential Commission on AI at the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE) in the US, as well as collaborates with interdisciplinary research hub exploring AI in Education based at the Department of Education, University of Oxford, UK. Previously, she served as a guest editor for the Responsible AI issue of James Madison University (JMU) International Journal on Responsibility, and a member of organising teams of a conference and a symposium related to responsible AI. Since 2022, Tatjana has cooperated with the UNESCO IESALC, OECD, and the World Bank on research and awareness-raising activities on AI opportunities and risks, and global policy frameworks. In 2022-2024, Tatjana received several awards for her research in ethical AI. She is a three-time fellow at CAIDP AI Policy Clinics and has contributed to the AIDV Index 2025.

 

Carolina Judith Medina Guzmán

 

Carolina Judith Medina Guzmán is an AI Ethics and Media Researcher specializing in generative AI and bias mitigation. She holds an MA in International Media Studies from Deutsche Welle Akademie, where she graduated with distinction for her thesis, Decoding Biases: Investigating Factors, Disparities, and Mitigation in AI Image Generators. Currently working with the United Nations, she brings seven years of experience in audiovisual production and educational resources design. She contributes to media governance projects and diversity initiatives and serves as part of the leadership group of Women in AI Colombia, promoting diversity and transparency in emerging technologies while bridging the gap between research and practical application.

 



CAIDP Legal Group (LG) - Fall 2025

Legal Group Coordinator

Christabel Randolph (Bangladesh, Georgetown Law)

 

Christabel is an Advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.  She holds an Advanced Certification in AI Policy from CAIDP. She has experience working across South-Asia and the Middle-East with multinational corporations, the WHO, IDLO and in private practice. She completed her LL.M in Technology Law & Policy as a merit scholar  from Georgetown University Law Center. She also completed a masters in law & economics as an Erasmus Mundus scholar. Christabel commits time as General Secretary of Vattara Hope Foundation, a non-profit that runs the School of Hope (founded in 1990) for slum children in Dhaka and Executive Member, Board of Trustees of World Concern Bangladesh operating micro-finance for ultra-poor in Bangladesh. 



CAIDP Policy Clinic (TF, TL, RG) - Spring 2026

Policy Clinic Coordinator

Dr. Grace Thomson, Policy Clinic Coordinator

 

Grace advises on strategy, governance, and policy for AI in Education and public innovation. She founded the AI Academy and is an Advisory Board member of the AI Education Forum in the UAE. She is a member of the UNESCO/IESALC Implementation Group on Ethics, Safety, and Inclusion and a Mentor for the Diploma en Gobernabilidad e Innovación Pública (CAF-Universidad Complutense de Madrid). Grace attained the CAIDP AI Policy Certificates with Distinction and joined the Policy Group, where she led statements to the UK government on AI governance. She was designated a Research Fellow by the CAIDP Board. 


Teaching Fellows

Tamiko Eto, MS CIP- Senior Teaching Fellow

 

Ms. Eto serves as Director of Research Operations at the Mayo Clinic. She has 19 years of experience in the field of human subjects research protection, conducting reviews of complex industry and federally funded AI research. She leverages this experience to implement policies and guidance for AI-enabled healthcare solutions. To facilitate researchers and ethics committees across the US and globally, she has developed tools and checklists for application in the regulatory review of AI research. Tamiko also serves on the AI Ethics Advisory Board for the Institute of Experiential AI (EAI) at Northeastern University. She attained the CAIDP AI Policy Certificates with Distinction and is a Research Fellow and member of the CAIDP Policy Group.


Candice Alder - Teaching Fellow

 

Candice Alder is a psychotherapist and AI ethicist with interest in the ethical and human-centred integration of AI technology for the betterment of humanity.  Candice is an IEEE CertifAIEd authorized AI assessor and standards development working group member, as well as the author of Canada’s first guidelines on the ethical integration of AI into psychotherapy practice.  Candice is president of the Board of Directors for the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors, and her professional mental health experience spans over 20 years of working with marginalized children, youth, and families in such settings as public education, non-profit, government, and private practice

 

Cecilia Garcia Podoley-  Teaching Fellow

 

Cecilia Garcia Podoley is a lawyer and seasoned ethics, compliance, and AI-governance specialist with three decades of international experience. She has led compliance programs at several multinational enterprises, and currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Board and Co-Chair of the AI and Compliance Working Group at Ethics & Compliance Switzerland. Cecilia holds a JD in public international law, a specialization in high-tech law, and recent certifications in computational social science and AI governance. Fluent in four languages, she advises the Ethical AI Alliance, writes on AI ethics for Le Monde Économique, and advises companies on ethical AI and AI governance. She lives in Geneva, Switzerland.

 

Varsha Sewlal - Teaching Fellow

 

Varsha is a  Privacy and Tech Lawyer with a background in civil litigation, human rights law, and commercial law. Executive Legal and Deputy Information Officer at the Railway Safety Regulator. Her expertise lies in ICT advisory and training services, drafting legal guidelines and policies, and conducting research on  AI regulation, global data protection, cybersecurity frameworks, and ICT law. Varsha is passionate about ICTs and development, crafting effective policy proposals that balance innovation with risk mitigation for societal good. She holds a Bachelor of Social Science, LLB, and LLM in Commercial Law, and is a doctoral candidate.  Varsha attained the CAIDP AI Policy Certificates with Distinction and is a Research Fellow and member of the CAIDP Policy Group.

 



CAIDP Team Leaders (TLs) - Spring 2026


Abdullah Elbi - Team Leader S26

 

Abdullah Elbi is a doctoral researcher at KU Leuven Centre for IT and IP Law, focusing on the regulation of AI, fundamental rights, data protection, including biometrics, digital identity, human oversight, and employee surveillance. He is a qualified lawyer and certified data protection and AI specialist (CIPP/E & CIPM) with over 7 years of experience in the field. At CiTiP,  Abdullah advises on EU and nationally funded projects and provides strategic guidance on data and AI governance.

 

Agustina Brizio  - Team Leader S26

 

Agustina Brizio is a lawyer and public policy specialist focused on artificial intelligence governance and digital transformation. She holds an MPA in Digital Technologies and Policy from University College London, where her research examined the use of AI tools for evidence synthesis in government. Agustina has held senior public sector roles in Argentina, including Undersecretary of Information Technologies, where she led national AI governance initiatives, cybersecurity strategies, and guidelines for trustworthy AI in the public sector. She currently works as Digital Technologies and Innovation Manager at Asuntos del Sur and contributes to global AI governance research through academic and multilateral networks.

 

Aiko Shimizu - Team Leader Sp26

 

 

Aiko Shimizu leads AI workforce and skills strategy at the intersection of government policy, economic security, and responsible AI adoption at Microsoft. She is also an Adjunct Fellow at the Pacific Forum, and an Advisory Board Member at the Japan Reskilling Initiative. Prior to her current role, Aiko held various public policy roles across the U.S., Japan, and Germany.

 

Aiko received her graduate degrees from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). She received her Bachelor’s degree with Honors in Political Science and International Studies from the University of Chicago.

 

Alessandro Ciceri - Team Leader Sp26

 

Alessandro Ciceri is a digital policy researcher specialising in AI governance. He holds an LLM with Distinction from the University of Exeter, where his research focused on AI, data protection, and the GDPR’s right to be forgotten in the context of large language models.

 

He has contributed to AI governance initiatives through his work with the ITU’s AI for Good, where he supported the AI Governance Dialogue 2025 and contributed to the Annual AI Governance Report 2025. Alessandro is also the founder of the Youth AI Governance Forum, a platform dedicated to promoting meaningful youth representation in AI policy discussions.

 

 Amanda Camilotti  - Team Leader S26

 

Amanda Camilotti is a global attorney at the intersection of international law, tech, and data privacy. She has more than 10 years of experience leading international negotiations, communicating with diverse stakeholders, and managing contracts. She holds a Master of Laws degree and an MBA with a double concentration in Supply Chain Management and Sustainability from the University of Denver.

 

Amanda leverages her legal and business expertise helping organizations tackle governance, risk, and compliance challenges through effective risk assessment and mitigation strategies. Currently serving as a Team Leader for the Center of AI and Digital Policy (CAIDP), she holds certifications such as SANS AIS247: AI Security Essentials for Business Leader and Google Cybersecurity Professional certificate. 

 

Ameneh Dehshiri – Team Leader, Spring 2026

 

Ameneh Dehshiri is an AI and digital rights lawyer and researcher working at the intersection of technology, law, and human rights. Her work focuses on AI governance, data protection, and internet freedom, with particular attention to algorithmic bias, data sovereignty, and rights-based regulatory frameworks. She advocates for ethical, transparent, and accountable technologies, especially in contexts of mass surveillance, digital censorship, and corporate power. Through research and policy engagement, she aims to ensure that technological development remains aligned with fundamental human rights and freedoms.

 

 

Angesom Teklu - Team Leader Sp26

 

Angesom Teklu is a Ph.D. student in Policy Analysis researching the societal, economic, and geopolitical implications of frontier AI technologies. With over five years of experience in data analysis and evidence-based policy design, he applies rigorous methodologies to technology impact assessments and policy analysis.

 

Angesom holds a master's degree in Sustainable International Development with specialization in global economic financing and partnerships. For the past five years, he has worked as both researcher and practitioner, investigating complex challenges at the intersection of global systems and emerging technologies.

 

Arife Karaçelik- Team Leader S26

 

Arife Karaçelik is a lawyer with experience in technology, data protection, and e-commerce. She is certified Data Protection Officer (DPO) and has worked on legal issues related to GDPR

compliance, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. She combines her legal practice with an interest in emerging technologies and international technology policies; focusing particularly on the intersection of law, AI governance, and digital transformation

 

Ademulegun Blessing - Team Leader S26

 

Ademulegun Blessing is Vice President, Chief AI Ethicist at the African Tech for Development Initiative and Founder of Grinwad Integrated Tech Hub. Research focused on algorithmic bias detection and AI governance frameworks for Global South contexts. Team Leader at CAIDP, Fellow at the Pan-African Center for AI Ethics (PACFAIE) and ForHumanity, and sits on the Executive Board of TechKids AI, UK. As co-developer of VisionX Scan, reduced AI system biases by over 30% and co-authored The Truth Behind The Code. Holds certifications in AI Governance (AIGP), Enterprise IT Governance (CGEIT), and Corporate Governance (CGPC).

 

 

Camille Garrison – Team Leader S26

 

Camille Garrison is a Jamaican corporate/ commercial attorney with experience in advising clients on capital markets transactions, intellectual property protection and strategy, and general corporate/ commercial matters. She helps businesses structure deals, protect their intangible assets, and navigate legal complexity.

Camille also has a keen interest in technology law, particularly in the development and regulation of artificial intelligence. This passion drives her work in AI policy and governance, data protection, and digital intellectual property. Outside of work, she enjoys marathoning, hiking, playing tennis, a good game of chess, and remaining engaged with the evolving landscape of AI policy and regulation.

 

Chazara Clark-Smith - Team Leader S26

 

Chazara Clark-Smith serves as the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy and Governance Lead for the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) where she led the development of AI strategy and adoption across the IRS. Chazara was also Senior Technical Advisor to the Deputy Director of Submission Processing - Application Development. In 2024 Chazara was awarded the IRS Commissioner’s Award for her role in leading the Information Returns Intake System (IRIS) program. In December of 2023 Chazara also earned the Service to the Citizen Award for her delivery of the IRS Information Returns Modernization program.

 

 

Diana Duran- Team Leader S26

 

Diana Durán is a purpose-driven strategic communications, public affairs, and technology policy leader with 12+ years of experience connecting governments, policymakers, civil society, and citizens across Latin America. Specialized in public policy, digital advocacy, and emerging technologies, including AI governance. 

 

Led cross-regional campaigns contributing to the approval of 41+ national laws by bridging civic voices and institutional decision-making. Passionate about using storytelling, data, and technology to strengthen democracy, expand access, and support mission-driven organizations through empathetic, human-centered leadership.

 

 

Engy Said - Team Leader F25

 

Engy is a PhD candidate and lecturer at the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, George Mason University. Her research interests focus on conflict analysis and resolution, political economy, economies of war, governance and institutions, post-conflict reconstruction and peacebuilding, identity conflicts, climate change and environmental peacebuilding, with a particular focus on the MENA region and the Mediterranean. Engy has a keen interest in exploring how economics can be leveraged as a tool to reconcile divided societies. Her past research projects have included environmental peacebuilding in the Middle East, the role of identity in conflict and peacebuilding, and the intersectionality between corruption and conflict, particularly in multiethnic and multireligious societies.

 

Facundo Bonaura - Team Leader F25

 

Facundo Bonaura is a lawyer specialized in Tort Law (UBA) and State Advocacy (PTN), with additional training in artificial intelligence, legal innovation, and technology governance. He has authored articles on AI and researches regulatory frameworks, legislative initiatives in Argentina, AI adoption in the Judiciary, and neuro-rights. Currently pursuing a Postgraduate Program in Generative AI, Prompting & Law (UBA), he is also an active member of OdiseIA, ALTA, and the CAIDP AI Policy Clinic.

 

Farah Alqattan - Team Leader F25

 

Farah Alqattan currently resides in California.  She has successfully obtained degrees in Criminal Justice and Cybersecurity. Her educational, professional, and personal background has been founded and fortified in health sciences, justice, innovation, faith, and service. 

Farah has applied her intelligence, intuition, higher guidance and radical optimism to inspire creativity and personhood morale by launching 7 book publications and sharing a paper highlighting the risks and benefits of AI. Her recent endeavors have been focused on AI Governance and Policy. Looking to the future, Farah envisions a vibrant paradise for her neighbors that is both physically and virtually safe. 

 

Giovana Fleck - Team Leader F25

 

Giovana Fleck works on the intersection of journalism, research, and advocacy, using storytelling as a catalyst for change. Her work spans critical areas, including human rights, technology, and digital policy, demonstrating a commitment to uncovering and disseminating impactful narratives. Giovana possesses a track record of conducting in-depth, open-source investigations and employing rigorous narrative and policy analysis. For the past years, she has been leading Global Voices' Civic Media Observatory and working as an editor for stories about the Lusophone Africa region. She currently works at RNW Media as the policy advisor for media and human rights. 

 

Hamilton Katsvairo - Team Leader F25

 

Hamilton Katsvairo is an experienced Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy researcher, educator, mentor and practitioner with over 16 years of practice driving digital transformation and national skills development. He is a thought leader in the fields of AI, business intelligence and digital transformation, with a proven track record in graduate, postgraduate program development and industry collaboration. Hamilton's qualifications include a Master of Big Data Analytics, Master of Business Intelligence, and is a PhD candidate in AI and Strategic Leadership at Marondera University (MUAST), Zimbabwe

 

Sathiyaseelan Janani - Team Leader F25

 

Sathiyaseelan Janani is a Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, and a qualified Attorney-at-Law in Sri Lanka. Her scholarly and professional pursuits are centered on the ethical and governance dimensions of Artificial Intelligence, with a specific emphasis on the regulation of digital labour in the age of algorithmic management and artificial intelligence. Janani advocates for a socio-technological approach to AI regulation. She was an active member of the CAIDP research group in Spring 2025, during which she earned the CAIDP AI Policy Certificate with Distinction, and was appointed as a Team Leader for the Fall 2025 semester.

 

Javier Ibáñez-Guzman - Team Leader F25

 

Javier Ibanez is a Corporate Expert on Autonomous Systems at Renault and Co-Director of SIVALab, a joint laboratory with CNRS and UTC Compiègne, where he works on intelligent vehicle technologies, AI, and verification methods. He received an M.S.E.E. from the University of Pennsylvania as a Fulbright Scholar and a Ph.D. from the University of Reading, U.K. Earlier, Javier was a Senior Scientist at A*STAR Singapore, leading autonomous ground vehicle research. He also serves as an expert for the EU and Eureka research programmes. A Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the IET (U.K.), he is a Lifetime Member of the IEEE.

 

Julia Mykhailiuk -Team Leader F25

 

Julia Mykhailiuk is an expert in AI policy, with a focus on EU and international AI governance. She previously led a Brussels-based think tank, collaborating with the European Commission and EU AI Office on the EU AI Act and related guidelines. Julia is a 2025 Taiwan–US–Europe Policy Fellow at the German Marshall Fund, a Research Fellow at FP21 in Washington, D.C., and a contributor to the OECD's Hiroshima AI Process framework. She has advised UNESCO and takes part in global dialogues on technology governance. Her work has earned her recognition as one of the Top 33 Women in AI 2025.

 

Kyoungsic Min  -Team Leader F25

 

Kyoungsic Min is Privacy Counsel and Asia Regional Lead at VeraSafe, where he advises multinational organizations on global data protection and AI governance. He previously practiced at Yulchon LLC in Seoul and Ho Chi Minh City, served in the Strategic Investigations Department of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, and worked at the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

Admitted to practice law in Korea and Washington, D.C., he holds LLB, LLM, JD, and PhD (Coursework Completed), together with AIGP, CIPP/E, and ISO/IEC 27001, 27701, and 42001 PA certifications. He also chairs the IAPP Seoul KnowledgeNet Chapter and serves on the International Committee and the International Human Rights Committee of the Korean Bar Association.

 

Luisa Jiménez-Mahecha -Team Leader F25

 

Luisa Jiménez-Mahecha is an AI & Corporate Lawyer. Director at Lloreda Camacho & Co., Professor at Universidad del Rosario. Secretary General of the Colombian Association of Commercial Lawyers and former Vice President of the Colombian Legaltech Association. Author of the paper “Legal and Economic Challenges of AI Regulation in Latin America and the Caribbean” (Aranzadi Thomson Reuters, 2022); and author of “Contractual and Non-Contractual Liability in the Maze of Artificial Intelligence” (E-mercatoria, 2025).

 

Marcela Campos Jabôr  -Team Leader F25

 

Marcela Campos Jabôr is a results-oriented Senior Attorney and Government Relations Coordinator with over 15 years of experience in Public Law and Government Relations. Demonstrated track record in leading strategic initiatives, implementing public policies, and negotiating public contracts, including concession agreements and public-private partnership (PPP) contracts, in complex and high-risk environments. Seeks to leverage skills in risk management, compliance, and partnerships between the public and private sectors to drive innovation and sustainability efforts in large organizations. PhD student researching the impact of AI in Public Contracts.

 

Marin Milenkoski- Team Leader F25

 

Marin has spent years working in data protection and technology, supporting global clients from healthcare organisations handling sensitive data to recruitment firms, banks, and startups. He has developed compliance strategies, led risk assessments, and collaborated with regulators across Europe. Day-to-day, he engages with data subjects and addresses real-world privacy challenges. Currently, Marin serves as a Senior Consultant in Data Protection and AI Governance, leading teams and building frameworks from the ground up. He has delivered end-to-end solutions aligned with GDPR, the EU AI Act, and ISO/IEC 42001. 

 

McDonald Moyo  -Team Leader F25

 

McDonald Moyo is a legal professional with expertise in human rights, rule of law, and digital policy. He holds an LLM in Rule of Law for Development from Loyola University Chicago. With a strong focus on freedom of expression and the intersection of emerging technologies and human rights, McDonald has contributed to advocacy, policy, and research initiatives across global platforms. His work reflects a commitment to advancing justice, transparency, and accountability through legal innovation and inclusive governance.

 

Mert Özyiğit - Team Leader F25

 

Mert Özyiğit is a lawyer specializing in data protection, privacy and compliance. For the past two years, he has been working as a Data Protection Compliance Specialist at a leading bank in Türkiye. A graduate of Özyeğin University Faculty of Law, Mert has experience in law, finance, privacy and technology governance. He holds a CIPP/E certification from IAPP, along with credentials in blockchain law, corporate ethics and compliance. He is deeply committed to upholding human rights and the rule of law, and strives to make a meaningful impact in this field.

 

Montserrat Legorreta -Team Leader F25

 

Prior to working on tech accountability and human rights, Montserrat Legorreta built a non-profit organization in Mexico City focused on critical thinking in education. She is currently the membership lead at the Global Network Initiative (GNI), a multistakeholder organization dedicated to responsible company decision-making to promote and advance freedom of expression and privacy rights across the technology ecosystem. Legorreta focuses on building meaningful engagement and spearheading new-member recruitment across stakeholder groups in different geographies, organized into four constituencies: academics, civil society organizations (CSOs), companies, and investors.

 

Muhammad Deckri Algamar  -Team Leader F25

 

Muhammad Deckri Algamar is an Indonesian technology consultant at Deloitte SEA and a team member for the National AI Taskforce 2025. He bridges regulatory drafting and implementation, contributing to the PDP Law and Children’s Online Protection rules, authoring a 2024 DPO function guide, with practical experience in developing the region’s first AI governance project for a bank. In Universitas Indonesia, Deckri founded ALT+ (Technolawgy Indonesia) as a platform to mentor students on AI and privacy issues beyond the classroom. He is currently enrolled in KAIST-SNU Digitalogy Academy for Open AI Transformation 2025.

 

Muhammad (Mohd) Sadiq - Team Leader F25

 

Muhammad (Mohd) Sadiq is an AI leader with expertise in R&D, governance, and policy development. As Program Manager for the Government of Pakistan at the National Centre of Artificial Intelligence he steered the development of Pakistan’s first National AI Strategy. He introduced Pakistan’s Certified AI Professional program, ensuring modules on AI ethics and governance. Internationally, he contributes to projects like EU Horizon 2020 ENHANCE, Paragon Policy Fellowship USA, Arcadia Impact, and BlueDot Impact (UK). Committed to advancing ethical AI practices, he works to shape future-ready policies that align with global standards and benefit society. 

 

Noah Levy - Team Leader F25

 

Noah Levy is a generative AI and policy specialist with experience bridging governance and implementation. He holds an MSc from the London School of Economics and co-founded Iona Growth Partners, advising clients on AI systems design and implementation. He also served as a Generative AI Associate at Innodata, where he developed ethics guidelines and model alignment protocols for a Big Five technology client. At the Center for AI and Digital Policy, he contributed to the AI and Democratic Values Index, evaluating regulatory frameworks across 80 countries. Noah previously worked at Global Affairs Canada as a Senior Policy Advisor on international trade and hostage diplomacy issues. 

 

Patrycja Niemczyk  -Team Leader F25

 

Patrycja Niemczyk is a legal and business professional specializing in emerging technologies and artificial intelligence. She holds an EMBA from the Executive MBA Poznań-Atlanta PUEB-GSU program and an LL.M from Kozminski University, with advanced certification in Business AI project management.

Patrycja currently serves as an Executive MBA lecturer and Mentor in New Technology Law, while maintaining active practice as a licensed court mediator. Member of Poland's Ministry of Digital Affairs AI Working Group (GRAI) and the International Association for Artificial Intelligence and Law.

She is passionate educator focused on responsible and ethical AI implementation, expertly bridging complex legal frameworks with practical technology applications to ensure artificial intelligence serves society's best interests.

 

Pritika Magima - Team Leader F25

 

Pritika Magima is an Indian lawyer and technology policy professional with over seven years of experience in law and policy, representing multinational companies, shaping advocacy strategies, engaging regulators, and influencing policy. Her work focuses on emerging technology, AI governance, platform governance, and competition law. She holds an LL.M. in Technology Law and Policy from Georgetown University Law Center. Skilled at translating technical and legal concepts into actionable policy, she fosters collaboration across various sectors. She is committed to driving long-term impact through rigorous, pragmatic, and stakeholder-driven policy development and engagement.

 

Samuel Goodger - Team Leader F25

 

Samuel Goodger is a CAIDP Team Leader and Policy Analyst in the European Policy Centre’s Social Europe and Wellbeing programme. He covers projects, research, and events in EU artificial intelligence, public health, education, and social policy.

 

Before joining the EPC as a Talos AI Fellow, he completed internships in public affairs, monitoring developments across various areas, including digital and health policy, and at the European Parliament, in the Employment and Social Affairs Committee. Samuel holds an MSc in International Social and Public Policy from the LSE and a BSc in International Relations from the University of Bologna.

 

Sezer Selvi -  Team Leader F25

 

Sezer Selvi is a Customer Experience Design Lead at Vodafone where he leads customer-centric design across products and services. He also served as People Lead for Vodafone’s Youth Connect, empowering young professionals worldwide. His expertise spans AI governance, technology policy, design, and product management, bridging law, technology, and experience. Sezer’s professional background includes research and consulting roles, compliance and data privacy work, and legal practice. He held roles such as Technology and Policy Researcher, Junior Consultant, Compliance Specialist, and Paralegal. Sezer has been a Research Group Member at the Center for AI and Digital Policy (CAIDP) and now contributes as a Team Leader.

 

Sukhdeep Kaur - Team Leader F25

 

Sukhdeep Kaur is a Physicist with a Ph.D. in snow avalanche research. Her expertise is an interdisciplinary mix of fields, including physics, statistics, computer languages, geophysical instrumentation, and data analysis. Her research areas include AI Governance, Disaster Risk Management (DRM), Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) policy research, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) - led R&D, Strengthening Industry-Academia interlinkages, Technology Transfer, Open Science, and Research Data Management. She is actively contributing towards organizations such as CAIDP, DST, GoI, CODATA-Data Ethics Task Group (DETG), ICTP Global Science Network Alumni, International Association for Promoting Geoethics (IAPG), IEE-GRSS, the International Society for Digital Earth (ISDE) WG1- Science and Technology for Digital Earth, Research Data Alliance (RDA), UNDRR-SEM Group, UNEP-GEO 7 Team, UNFCCC-Women and Gender Constituency (WGC), WDS-IPO.

 

Supriya Kulkarni  -Team Leader F25

 

Supriya Kulkarni is an Ethics consultant and Human-centered designer. 

Deeply interested in the intersection of design, technology, business, and society, she identifies the pain points and challenges of people in order to develop human-centered solutions. Her activities in the area of ‘ethics by design’ include designing and delivering learning programs, consulting, and ethics advocacy. She’s an Ethical AI mentor and an AI Literacy advisor. Supriya was a finalist in the 2021 ‘Women in Voice’ awards in the ‘DEI in Voice’ category, and features in the list of ‘100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics’ 2022, by Women in AI Ethics™.

 

Suriya Krishna -Team Leader F25

 

Suriya Krishna is a researcher in the political theory of AI at IIIT Delhi, India. Her interests include AI policies, algorithmic governance, and data privacy. She has a master's in Science and Technology Policy from the University of Sussex, Brighton. Her curiosity about technology and its impacts on society, and how governance questions those impacts, led her to shift her career from software engineering to technology policy. Her aim for the CAIDP AI policy clinic program is to develop the experience and skills necessary for evaluating different AI policies worldwide and to devise methods for educating the general public about their rights and responsibilities.

 

Susan Morrissey - Team Leader F25

 

Susan Morrissey is a distinguished education innovation strategist and leader with extensive expertise in program redesign, curriculum evaluation, integration of artificial intelligence, and blended learning methodologies. She is an authority in staff development and professional growth for educators and administrators, possessing advanced degrees in educational leadership from Boston College. Ms. Morrissey spearheads transformative initiatives for various academic and innovation organizations, thereby influencing educators both locally and nationally. Her professional background encompasses strategic planning, project management, and the cultivation of dynamic, cross-sectional learning environments, solidifying her role as a pivotal influence for continuous improvement and equity in educational policy and practice.

 

Kim-Hang Ho - Team Leader F25

 

Kim-Hang Ho is an international economics graduate with a strong background in AI governance, data analytics, and sustainability policy. She has worked with organizations across Asia, the U.S., and ASEAN, including Wedu, Thai Beverage, and venture capital firms, focusing on technology, research, and strategic development. Kim-Hang co-founded projects on AI safety for children and gender-equal education, and has represented youth at multiple international forums on law, technology, and sustainable development. As a CAIDP Team Leader, she is passionate about advancing ethical, rights-based AI policies globally.

 

Vanessa Maidoh  -Team Leader F25

 

Vanessa Maidoh is an IEEE Certified Lead Assessor (CertifAIEd), QA/audit professional, and Team Lead at the Center for AI and Digital Policy. A graduate of CAIDP’s AI Policy Clinic, she bridges technical evaluation and governance, translating system audits into plain-language policy recommendations. She contributed to the AI & Democratic Values Index (Vietnam) and authored policy analyses on Rwanda and Canada. As a member of Women in AI, her work focuses on accountability, transparency, and mitigating harm through practical checklists and test cases. Based in Toronto, she applies QA/audit and compliance expertise to help small businesses adopt AI responsibly.

 

Warren Bowles  -Team Leader F25

 

Warren Bowles is a South African AI ethicist, AI researcher, writer, contributor, and legal academic with more than 10 years of experience in both South African public and private academia. He is also an admitted attorney in South Africa and an EDSAFE AI Alliance Catalyst Fellow. He has published works detailing the convergence and impact of AI on law, democracy, education, human rights, and labour law. He has also presented on the impacts of AI in various areas at multiple conferences. He is also a member of the South African AI Association and the International Association for Safe & Ethical AI. 

 

Yerdaulet Rakhmatulla - Team Leader F25

 

Yerdaulet Rakhmatulla is the Founder & CEO of JASA, working at the AI-nuclear intersection. Since 2022, he has contributed to shaping AI governance alongside UNESCO and UNITAR, and advanced nuclear disarmament in collaboration with Nobel Peace Laureates such as Nihon Hidankyo, ICAN, IPPNW, and the IAEA. He was Lead Translator and Reviewer for the "Defending Human Rights in the Age of AI" MOOC and spoke at UNESCO’s 2024 Media and Information Literacy Week in Amman. He has contributed to the CAIDP Index. Yerdaulet is a UN Youth4Disarmament delegate developing AI, emerging technologies, and nuclear policy proposals for the 2025 UN General Assembly First Committee.

 

Zoë Aikman  –Team Leader F25

 

Zoë Aikman is a law student at McGill University with a focus on technology law and international human rights. She conducts research on the role of AI in governance and conflict resolution, contributing to projects on AI policy and democratic values.

She has worked with Human Rights Watch on international justice initiatives, the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism on emerging technologies, and the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab on tech policy and disinformation.

Zoë holds a MPhil in Politics and International Studies from the University of Cambridge, where she examined surveillance and AI technologies in global politics, and a BA in Communication Studies and Law & Society from Concordia University.