This keynote transforms the conversation around AI from abstract hype to human-centered impact. Blending expertise as Director of the NextGen Learning Lab at Microsoft and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Washington, this keynote bridges industry and academia to illuminate how generative AI is not just a technological innovation, but a general-purpose force reshaping the very fabric of work, education, and opportunity. It draws on historical parallels and real-world data, showing how AI is accelerating job creation and transformation, demanding new skills, and redefining what it means to be prepared for the future. It also challenges institutions and leaders to cultivate environments where inquiry and imagination thrive—reminding us that the true transformation won’t come from technology alone, but from the cultures we build around it.

The next generation of learners won’t just use AI—they’ll lead with it. In this provocative and practical session, educators are invited to step boldly into a future where intelligent systems are not optional tools but essential collaborators. It begins by reframing the challenge: AI is not simply a new technology; it’s a general-purpose capability reshaping every discipline and industry. Through a vivid case study drawn from Rachel’s own classroom, she demonstrates how a balance of AI-integrated learning and hands-on problem-solving equips students with the needed critical thinking, effective prompting, and human-AI collaboration.

You’ll explore:

• How to design assignments that teach students to think with AI, not just about AI

• Practical frameworks for embedding AI literacy across disciplines

• Institutional shifts needed to support educators in this transformation

This keynote blends the expertise of a Microsoft AI leader and a public health professor. This intersection creates a unique perspective into the everchanging ways that healthcare and technology continue to evolve in tandem. It is important for medical providers – who are typically not technologists – to have a deep understanding of the tools they are utilizing to treat patients and optimize organizational practices. In this presentation, Rachel will share the frontline trends of AI in healthcare and how professionals can harness the best pathways to work with these emerging technologies.