Dr. Maya Ackerman is an internationally renowned expert in generative AI, combining over a decade of pioneering research with business leadership. As one of the earliest innovators in generative AI since 2015, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the field. Ackerman is a professor at Santa Clara University, and co-founder/CEO of WaveAI, one of the first generative AI startups, whose innovative products have empowered millions of users worldwide.
Dr. Ackerman specializes in creating scalable, user-centered systems that elevate generative AI from a fleeting novelty to an indispensable tool. Her expertise has been showcased on prestigious stages, including the United Nations, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Google, IBM Research, and Stanford.
Named a “Woman of Influence” by the Silicon Valley Business Journal, Dr. Ackerman’s insights have been featured on NBC News, NPR, and New Scientist. Her thought leadership and practical approach make her a sought-after speaker who inspires and equips audiences to harness the transformative power of generative AI.
Events that educate & Inspire
Keynote topics
The Generative AI Success Blueprint
Why do some generative AI products, like ChatGPT, achieve massive success while others fade into obscurity? Dr. Maya Ackerman, a pioneer in generative AI, shares the key lessons behind long-term user retention, the critical role of user-centered AI development and design, and proven strategies for marketing AI products to the public. Learn how to avoid common pitfalls and create AI experiences that resonate with your audience.
Generative AI for B2C: Building Scalable Products Users Love
B2C companies face unique challenges when integrating generative AI into their products. From building trust with skeptical users to creating experiences that drive lasting engagement, success requires more than just good technology—it demands strategic thinking and user-first design. Learn how to design AI systems that resonate with everyday consumers, avoid the novelty trap, and market your products effectively to ensure adoption and retention.
Creativity in the age of ai
AI is often seen as a threat to creativity, but what if it could be its greatest ally? In this talk, we’ll explore how AI has the power to unlock new creative potential, transforming how we express ourselves and approach artistic challenges. By serving as a guide, AI can make the creative process more meaningful, enriching our capacity for self-expression and unlocking new levels of creative fulfillment.
AI & ThE Future of Humanity
Today, in the age of Generative AI, humanity stands at a pivotal crossroads. While concerns and fears about AI dominate the conversation, we risk overlooking a far more compelling vision: the potential for AI to catapult us into the next phase of human evolution. This talk explores how generative AI, when designed with purpose and responsibility, can elevate human intelligence and creativity in profound ways rather than replace or diminish us.
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Bio
Dr. Maya Ackerman is a visionary pioneer in generative AI, blending over a decade of research with innovative business leadership. Dr. Ackerman has been at the forefront of the field since 2015, charting new territories for human-centric generative systems. Earning her PhD in Computer Science from the University of Waterloo and a Caltech Postdoc, Dr. Ackerman is a Professor of AI at Santa Clara University.
As the co-founder and CEO of WaveAI, one of the first startups in generative AI, Dr. Ackerman has led the development of transformative tools that empower creators worldwide. WaveAI’s products help millions of users unleash their creative potential while setting new standards for user-centered design and scalability in AI systems. Driven by her passion for innovation, she specializes in crafting technologies that turn generative AI into an indispensable resource—elevating it from a fleeting trend to a tool that fundamentally enhances human capabilities.
Dr. Ackerman’s expertise has earned her invitations to speak on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including Microsoft, the United Nations, Google, IBM Research, NVIDIA, Oxford and Stanford University. Her ability to distill complex ideas into actionable insights has made her a sought-after voice in the field, captivating audiences with her vision of how generative AI can profoundly elevate human creativity and productivity.
Recognized for her leadership and contributions, Dr. Ackerman was named a “Woman of Influence” by the Silicon Valley Business Journal. Her work has also garnered widespread media attention, with features on NBC News, NPR, and New Scientist, among others. Beyond her technical achievements, she is a dynamic and engaging speaker, inspiring audiences to harness the transformative power of AI while equipping them with the tools to lead in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Through her research, entrepreneurship, and thought leadership, Dr. Maya Ackerman continues to redefine what is possible with generative AI, leaving an indelible mark on the field and empowering people to create, innovate, and thrive.
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Past Events
Selected Talks
Microsoft. Mountain View, California. 2024.
Oxford University. Oxford, UK. 2024.
California Community Colleges. Long Beach, CA. 2024.
Northeastern University. Virtual. 2023.
The University of Windsor. Virtual. 2023.
National Association of Music Merchants. Anaheim, CA. 2022, 2023, 2024.
NVIDIA. GPT Technology Conference. Virtual. 2023.
Open Data Science Conference. General AI Summit. Virtual. 2023.
Silicon Valley Capital Club. San Jose, California. 2023.
ASCAP. AI Symposium. New York, NY. 2023.
Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofit Summits. Santa Clara, CA. 2023.
Rotary Club. San Jose, California. 2023.
South Bay Generative AI. Sunnyvale, California, 2023.
Sorviev Conference. Kristiansand, Norway. 2023.
Stanford. K1st World Conference. Stanford, California, 2023.
IEEE Humanitarian Technology Conference. Santa Clara, California. 2022.
The Canadian Undergraduate Conference. Virtual. 2022.
University of Toronto. Virtual. 2022.
Audio Engineering Society. Virtual. 2020. 2022.
University of Southern California. Virtual. 2021-2022.
IUI Workshop on AI-Human Co-Creation with Generative Models. Virtual. 2021.
MONDO. New York, NY. 2021.
PMA Academy. Virtual. 2020.
Microsoft. AI and Gaming Research Summit. Virtual. 2021.
Oracle. Virtual. 2021.
Orange Silicon Valley. Virtual. 2021.
NVIDIA. GPU Technology Conference. Virtual. 2021.
RightCon Summit. Virtual. 2021.
ACG Silicon Valley. Virtual. 2021.
United Nations. Geneva, Switzerland. 2019.
Northwestern University. Evanston, IL. 2019.
San Francisco Art Institute. San Francisco, CA. 2019.
Jose San Institute of Contemporary Art. San Jose. CA. 2019.
Ecole Normale Superieure. Paris, France, 2018.
Afeka College of Engineering. Tel Aviv, Israel. 2018.
Stanford. SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. Menlo Park, CA. 2018.
Nano World’s Fair. San Fransisco, California. 2018.
Harvey Mud College. Claremont, CA
Stanford. Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics. Stanford, CA. 2017.
Ericsson. Santa Clara, CA. 2017.
IBM. Watson Research Center. 2017.
US China AI Summit. Mountain View. 2018
Conference of the International Federation of Classification Societies. Bologna, Italy. 2015.
eHarmony. Santa Monica, CA. 2013.
Columbia. New York, NY. 2012.
UC San Diego. La Jolla, CA., 2010.