In this episode of CAIO Connect, host Sanjay Puri speaks with Dr. Amarda Shehu, the inaugural Vice President and Chief AI Officer at George Mason University. Dr. Shehu’s story is one of resilience, intellect, and vision — from studying geometry by candlelight in Albania to leading one of America’s most comprehensive university-wide AI transformation strategies. She discusses the democratisation of knowledge, AI literacy, and why “Humanity First” should be the guiding principle for AI leadership.

5 Key Takeaways
🔹 AI for All: How George Mason University is redefining AI education through accessible, non-technical courses that empower students from all disciplines.
🔹 Democratizing Knowledge: Why access and inclusivity in AI learning matter more than ever.
🔹 The Role of a Chief AI Officer: How academic institutions are shaping the blueprint for AI leadership across sectors.
🔹 Critical Thinking in the Age of AI: Why educators must design thoughtful integration of AI to enhance, not replace, human reasoning.
🔹 Building “Patriot AI”: How a secure, university-wide AI platform fosters safe experimentation and literacy among students, staff, and faculty.

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🎧 Stay curious. Stay human.

Resources Mentioned:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amarda-shehu-167a569/

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