The first edition of RethinkAI brought together over 25 international experts from academia and industry, exploring how AI is transforming education, business, and society. Discover key insights, award winners, and highlights from this groundbreaking global event.
Table of Contents
An Inspiring Beginning: RethinkAI 2025
The RethinkAI Conference 2025, marked an extraordinary milestone in the intersection of artificial intelligence, education, and innovation.
Day 1 saw over 45 participants, while Day 2, even on a Sunday, drew more than 25 active attendees—a clear reflection of the conference’s global impact and engaging discussions.
Bringing together 25 international speakers from academia and the corporate world, the event created a fertile space for cross-disciplinary collaboration and dialogue about the transformative power of AI.
Conference Leadership
Committee / Moderators:
- Prof. Olajumoke Familoni
- Sripriya Sarathy
Their vision and leadership guided this two-day journey of exploration and learning, setting the tone for thought-provoking sessions and meaningful discussions.
Keynote Speakers and Topics
- Dr. Mythili Kolluru
Assistant Professor of Strategy and Management, CBFS, Muscat, Oman
Topic: AI Imprints on the Educational Ecosystem and Human Cognition - Dr. Ray Schroeder
UPCEA Senior Fellow, Professor Emeritus, University of Illinois Springfield
Topic: The University Reimagined: Partnering with AI on the Next Horizon - Dr. Marilyn Puckett
Faculty of Management & Organizational Leadership, ICLED Business School
Topic: Implications of AI for the Corporate World
Guest Speakers
- Dr. Irving Martínez Pacheco, Founder & Senior AI Researcher, TimeSolutionsLearning.net, Bolivia
- Praneetha Kotla, Lead Robotics Process Automation Developer, ERP Smartlabs, USA
- Dr. Geetha Rajaram, Principal/Director, GIMS, Bangalore, India
- Antonio González Grez Grezan, Coordinator, IFE Living Lab, Institute for the Future of Education, Tecnológico de Monterrey
These global thought leaders added diverse perspectives to the RethinkAI dialogue, exploring AI’s role in business transformation, learning innovation, and digital ecosystems.
Focus Area 1: Cybersecurity and AI
- Dr. J. Soma Sekar, Professor & Program Head, CSE (AIDD), JAIN University, India; Research Fellow, INTI International University, Malaysia
Topic: ML for Cyber Security: Applications, Use Cases, Challenges, and Research Directions - Dr. Tan Kian Hua, Associate Director, Center of Excellence Cybersecurity Office, Singapore
Topic: AI as Your Strongest Ally and Biggest Adversary: The Double-Edged Sword of Trust - Prof. Pathan Katheeja Khan, Assistant Professor, Dept. of CSE, Jain University, Bangalore
Topic: Adversarial Attacks in CAVs and Defense - Dr. Sunita Dewitt, Assistant Professor, School of Management, Coventry University, UK
Topic: Cybersecurity in UK, Small and Medium Businesses
Focus Area 2: AI in Higher Education
- Dr. Oyewole Sarumi, Professor of Strategic Leadership & Digital Transformation
Topic: Strategic Management and AI - Dr. Amila Gamage, Assistant Professor, LIGS University, USA; Principal Consultant, Sihela Consultants, Singapore
Topic: How AI is Transforming Higher Education and Creating New Opportunities for Adult Learners and Universities - Dr. Aarti Sharma, Senior Lecturer, Nile University, Nigeria
Topic: From Automation to Transformation: Generative AI Redefining Teaching and Learning
Focus Area 3: Fintech and Smart Automation
- Dr. Priya Solomon, Head of Department, Universal AI University
Topic: Convergence of AI, Blockchain, and Big Data Analytics in Finance - Prof. Olusola Alliu, Faculty of Entrepreneurship, ICLED Business School
Topic: AI and Smart Agriculture - Dr. Roohi Kursheed Khan, Associate Professor, Dayananda Sagar University, India
Topic: Strategic Foresight with AI: The New Language of Business and Finance
Focus Area 4: Marketing and Consumer Insights
- Dr. Nduneche Ezurike, Market Innovation and Policy Consultant, Lagos, Nigeria
Topic: Reimagining the Customer Journey in the Age of Digital Acceleration - Dr. Tim Oluminu, Faculty of Marketing & Consumer Behavior Analysis, ICLED Business School
Topic: Marketing with AI
Focus Area 5: Generative AI Trends
- Dr. Ibitayo Adebayo, Lecturer in Business Management & Leadership, Coventry University, UK
Topic: Generative AI and Global Business Dynamics: Emerging Trends, Challenges, and Strategic Implications - Dr. Rachit Garg, Department of Data Science & AI, SPJ School of Global Management, Dubai, UAE
Topic: GenAI in Higher Education: Enhancing Learning and Assessment
Virtual Awards and Recognitions
Best Research Presentation: Dr. Rachit Garg — recognized for excellence in academic rigor and research clarity.
Best Speaker Engagement: Dr. Mythili Kolluru — celebrated for exceptional audience engagement and delivery.
Cross-Cultural Collaboration Award: Prof. Olajumoke Familoni — honored for fostering international academic partnerships.
Community Builder Award: Sripriya Sarathy — acknowledged for building strong professional networks and collaborations.
Lifetime Academic Service Recognition: Prof. Olusola Alliu — recognized for decades of academic service, mentorship, and impact.
A Legacy for the Future
The RethinkAI Conference 2025 was more than an event—it was a movement. It united brilliant minds, inspired collaboration, and demonstrated how AI can empower education, business, and humanity.
As the first edition concludes, RethinkAI stands as a beacon for future conferences that will continue to expand global understanding of ethical, impactful artificial intelligence.
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