TEDx UCincinnati has announced that Whitney Gaskins, associate dean of the University of Cincinnati's College of Engineering and Applied Science, will be the first speaker on the Main Stage.

A highly regarded leader, she was honored at the 2023 WOC STEM Conference alongside trailblazing women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM).

The Mainstage event will take place on Saturday, April 26th, at noon in the TUC Great Hall, featuring an afternoon filled with inspiring talks and ideas worth sharing.

Gaskins holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering, a Master of Business Administration in Quantitative Analysis, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering and Engineering Education.

She serves as the principal investigator for the Choose Ohio First Program and Ohio LSAMP grants. The students receive competitive scholarship funding and professional development workshops through these grant programs, which help prepare them to enter the STEMM workforce.

In 2009, she founded The Gaskins Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to presenting, engaging, and preparing students of all ages to become leaders in STEM fields through the use of algebra, programming, and design concepts.

Her foundation launched the STEMulates year-round K-12 program, introducing more students to math and science. She was named the 2017 K12 Champion by the National Association of Multicultural Engineering Program Advocates.

In 2015, she was awarded the Janice A Lumpkin Educator of the Year Golden Torch Award.

In addition, Thoko Miya, an expert in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation, has been selected to participate in the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF).

The IGF is one of the most significant platforms for shaping the future of the Internet.

Established by the United Nations in 2006, it brings together governments, tech companies, civil society, academia, and technical communities to discuss Internet governance, make decisions, and ensure that policies reflect the interests of all users.

Topics addressed at the IGF include digital inclusion, cybersecurity, AI governance, spectrum access, and human rights online. This year, Norway will serve as the host, emphasizing its commitment to digital rights, innovation, and internet freedom.

Miya expressed excitement about the opportunity to contribute, learn from global experts, and bring back insights that could drive meaningful change, particularly in Africa’s digital transformation and connectivity efforts.

Recently, she recommended several free AI courses covering topics such as AI, large language models (LLMs), AI for business leaders, generative AI, prompt engineering for ChatGPT, machine learning, data science workflows, productivity with AI tools, and courses designed to guide learners from basic concepts to generative AI practice.