Canvas of the Future

Laura Thompson is the Assistant Director-General for External and Corporate Relations in the International Labour Organization (ILO).

She has vast experience in diplomacy, external relations, multilateral international negotiations, high-level representation and the UN system. She has also extensive expertise and demonstrated capacity to manage complex intergovernmental organizations and change management processes and a proven ability to translate strategic vision and political mandates into managerial action.

During her career, Ms Thompson has served in key political and managerial positions including as the Deputy Director-General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for a total of twelve years, elected by the member States. Prior to that, she served in a number of diplomatic positions including as the Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva.

In addition, she has worked with academia in the conception and creation of the Centre for Innovation in Global Politics and Economics (CIGPE) in the IE University School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs as its Founding Director and as an adjunct professor.

Throughout her diplomatic career, Ms Thompson has successfully conducted delicate political negotiations at both the bilateral and multilateral levels and was elected President and/or Vice President of several Governing Bodies of International Organizations.

Ms Thompson has also authored academic articles, contributed to the media and participated as a guest professor, keynote speaker or panellist in international summits, conferences, and roundtables on a wide variety of subjects. Ms Thompson holds a Diplôme d’Etudes Supérieures (DES) of the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID) and a Law Degree from the Universidad de Costa Rica. She has also undertaken Executive Education courses at the Harvard John. F. Kennedy School of Government and at INSEAD.

Besides Spanish, her mother tongue, Ms Thompson is fluent in English, French, and Greek and has basic knowledge of Italian and Portuguese.

Philip is chief executive of the Raspberry Pi Foundation, an educational charity with a global mission to enable young people to realise their full potential through the power of computing and digital technologies.Philip was previously a non-executive director of the Foundation’s commercial business, Raspberry Pi Ltd and part of the team that led the successful IPO of the business on the London Stock Exchange in June 2024.Prior to joining Raspberry Pi, Philip was the Deputy Chief Executive of the UK’s innovation foundation, Nesta, where he built programmes and ventures to address social problems through innovation.He was a non-executive director of the Behavioural Insights Team (the Nudge Unit) and a founding trustee of the Centre for London. He served as an adviser on social innovation to the UK government, and has advised municipal and national governments, charities, and social enterprises all over the world.Earlier in his career, Philip was a chief officer at the London Borough of Camden and a senior civil servant in the Home Office.Philip has a degree in law from the University of Liverpool and qualifications in management and finance. He was awarded a CBE for services to Engineering and Technology for Societal Impact in the King’s Birthday Honours in 2025. Outside of work he is a dad, craft cider maker, and a slow cyclist. He is an active member of the local community, having served as a scout volunteer, a school governor, and trustee of a local arts organisation.

Serves as the co-chair of the African Union Science Technology Commission ASRIC/ASTR  Council on 4IR. She is a visionary figure in the advancement of responsible AI, dedicated to harnessing technology for good and unlocking humanity’s potential. Recognised as a Top 10 Leader advancing AI globally. A true full-stack human Amb. Lavina combines her expertise in psychology, technology, and economics to bring a unique and insightful perspective to AI development.

Her dedication and achievements are evident in her numerous accolades including top 10 leaders shaping AI. A futurist who’s vision is to accelerate the world’s augmentation of data by creating a more intelligent tomorrow through the footprints of collective humane knowledge. She’s not just a leader; she’s an inspiration, earning the title #aiMOM for fostering responsible development for a better tomorrow.

Leonard Rosenthol is the Senior Principal Architect for PDF & the Document Cloud at Adobe, having been involved with PDF technology for more than 20 years. He represents Adobe on various international standards bodies including the ISO (where he is the Project Editor for PDF/A, PDF/X and PDF/E), W3C and ETSI/ESI (where he authored the PDF Electronic Signature standard, PAdES).Prior to re-joining Adobe in 2006, Leonard worked as the Director of Software Development for Appligent, and the Chief Innovation Officer for Apago, while also running the successful consulting business of PDF Sages. Before becoming involved in PDF, Leonard was the Director of Advanced Technology for Aladdin Systems and was responsible for the development of the StuffIt line of products.

Based in Geneva, Switzerland, Frederic Werner is a recognized leader at the intersection of artificial intelligence, technology, and global development. As the Chief of Strategic Engagement at ITU, the United Nations’ specialized agency for Digital Technologies, and Chief of Strategy and Operations for AI for Good, Frederic drives initiatives that shape the future of AI’s role in solving humanity’s greatest challenges.Frederic is a co-creator of the United Nations AI for Good Global Summit, a landmark platform connecting AI innovators with real-world problem owners to collectively advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Under his stewardship, AI for Good has become a global hub for innovation, collaboration, and actionable solutions, redefining how AI is used for social good.At ITU, Frederic leads transformative strategic initiatives, driving global collaboration in digital transformation and standards development to address critical challenges. His leadership ensures the organization remains a leader in setting international standards and leveraging AI to advance the SDGs.Before joining ITU, Frederic held pivotal roles that shaped global ICT collaboration. As Communications & Program Director of ETIS in Brussels, he established a pan-European network of CIOs and cybersecurity leaders. Earlier, as Head of Marketing and Communications at the European Organization for Conformity Assessment, he spearheaded capacity-building projects with the European Commission, strengthening ICT infrastructures in EU candidate countries.A recognized figure in the AI sphere, Frederic is a regular keynote speaker and panellist at global tech and AI events, such as Davos, Vivatech, SXSW, World AI Festival Cannes, AI Africa Expo, World AI Summit Amsterdam, AWS Reinvent and GITEX to name a few. His insights on AI capacity building, governance and standards have led to numerous interviews and features across international media, books, and podcasts.Academically, Frederic holds a B.A. in Business & Human Resources Management with a Communications Minor from Vrije Universiteit Brussel, an MBA in International Business from United Business Institutes, a Technical MBA in Telecoms Technology from Informa Telecoms, and a certificate from the MIT Sloan School of Management on AI’s Business Strategy Implications.Having lived in diverse countries such as Belgium, Senegal, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, Austria, Turkey, Hungary, and Switzerland, Frederic brings a unique and

George Papandreou is former Prime Minister of Greece (2009-2011) and currently Member of Parliament with the Panhellenic Socialist Movement/Movement of Change. As an MP, he represents Hellenic Parliament in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and has chaired over the years several Committees in producing recommendations for deepening democracy, human rights and the rule of law across its 47 member-states. He also currently serves as the General Rapporteur for Democracy of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. 

First elected as MP in 1981, he served in many governmental posts. As Minister of Education (1994-1996), he founded the Greek Open University and promoted multicultural programs. As Minister of Foreign Affairs (1999-2004), he promoted peace building and European integration in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans and managed a breakthrough in Greek-Turkish relations. In 2004, Papandreou was elected leader of PASOK in the party and country’s first open primary – symbolizing his commitment to participatory Policy. Throughout his political career, he has actively sought to maximize citizen participation in Policy through information technologies.

From 2006 to 2022, he was President of Socialist International, the largest global political family. Around the world, Papandreou has deployed ‘Green Diplomacy,’ calling for the protection of the environment by placing sustainable development at the epicenter of policy-making and multilateral cooperation.

During his premiership, he applied a series of structural reforms in his attempt to modernize his country whilst avoiding bankruptcy during Greece’s 2010 debt crisis. For his achievements related to government Transparency, he received the Quadriga Award in the category “Power of Veracity”. In 2010, he was named one of the Foreign Policy magazine’s TOP 100 Global Thinkers. In 2017, he was honored with the International Leadership Association (ILA) Distinguished Leadership Award.

Based in Geneva, Switzerland, Frederic Werner is a recognized leader at the intersection of artificial intelligence, technology, and global development. As the Chief of Strategic Engagement at ITU, the United Nations’ specialized agency for Digital Technologies, and Chief of Strategy and Operations for AI for Good, Frederic drives initiatives that shape the future of AI’s role in solving humanity’s greatest challenges.Frederic is a co-creator of the United Nations AI for Good Global Summit, a landmark platform connecting AI innovators with real-world problem owners to collectively advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Under his stewardship, AI for Good has become a global hub for innovation, collaboration, and actionable solutions, redefining how AI is used for social good.At ITU, Frederic leads transformative strategic initiatives, driving global collaboration in digital transformation and standards development to address critical challenges. His leadership ensures the organization remains a leader in setting international standards and leveraging AI to advance the SDGs.Before joining ITU, Frederic held pivotal roles that shaped global ICT collaboration. As Communications & Program Director of ETIS in Brussels, he established a pan-European network of CIOs and cybersecurity leaders. Earlier, as Head of Marketing and Communications at the European Organization for Conformity Assessment, he spearheaded capacity-building projects with the European Commission, strengthening ICT infrastructures in EU candidate countries.A recognized figure in the AI sphere, Frederic is a regular keynote speaker and panellist at global tech and AI events, such as Davos, Vivatech, SXSW, World AI Festival Cannes, AI Africa Expo, World AI Summit Amsterdam, AWS Reinvent and GITEX to name a few. His insights on AI capacity building, governance and standards have led to numerous interviews and features across international media, books, and podcasts.Academically, Frederic holds a B.A. in Business & Human Resources Management with a Communications Minor from Vrije Universiteit Brussel, an MBA in International Business from United Business Institutes, a Technical MBA in Telecoms Technology from Informa Telecoms, and a certificate from the MIT Sloan School of Management on AI’s Business Strategy Implications.Having lived in diverse countries such as Belgium, Senegal, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, Austria, Turkey, Hungary, and Switzerland, Frederic brings a unique and

Dr. Rim Belhassine Cherif is a general engineer. She is currently the Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer and responsible of the digital transformation department at the incumbent telecom operator in Tunisia “Tunisie Telecom”.

Dr. Belhassine Cherif has participated in several ITU conferences, seminars and workshops and she holds many positions at ITU-T such as the positions of chairperson of the Network of Women in ITU-T and chairperson of ITU-T Study Group 13 Regional Group for Africa. She is also Vocabulary Rapporteur for the ITU Standardization Committee for Vocabulary and co-convener of the ITU-T Correspondance Group on Study Group 13 future direction. She has been a vice-chairperson of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group and Co-Rapporteur on Standardization Strategy from 2017 to 2022. Moreover, she has been vice-chairperson of ITU-T Study Group 13 from 2013 to 2024, vice-chairperson of WP3/13 from 2018 to 2024 and also vice-chairperson of the ITU-T Focus Group on Bridging the Gap: from Innovation to Standards between 2013 and 2015.
Dr. Belhassine Cherif graduated from the Higher School of Posts and Telecommunications of Tunis. She obtained her Master degree then her Ph.D. degree from the National Engineering School of Tunis and obtained an Executive MBA from Paris-Dauphine University and Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University (promotion major).

In the academic field, she performed several research activities in the domain of telecommunications and electrical engineering, and she is the author of many papers published in international and national conferences and scientific journals
Photo Rim Belhassine Cherif.png

A research and scientic leader in Articial Intelligence, Alessandra is the Sr. Director of AI and Data Science at Shutterstock. Alessandra has over 18 years of research and innovation experience gained while working in academic and commercial environments. Alessandra is passionate about generative AI models, machine learning, and computational models, focusing on transferring innovation from research to products.

Alessandra chairs the AI and Multimedia Authenticity Collaboration, which brings together IEC, ISO, ITU and other standards organizations to foster a unified response to deepfake technology, addressing risks while harnessing the benefits of generative AI. As Co-chair of the UNESCO Women for Ethical AI Platform, Alessandra works with a strong community of women to foster diversity, inclusion and equality for women and minorities while encouraging a global ethical approach in AI. As Global President of Women in AI (a non-profit think tank working towards gender-inclusive AI that benefits global society) Alessandra leads a community of women across 150 countries that empowers women and minorities to become AI & Data experts, innovators and leaders. In an advisory capacity, Alessandra also serves as the Governance Committee Chair at the Science Foundation Ireland Centre for Research Training in Machine Learning.

Among several awards, Alessandra won the STEM Professional of the Year at the Businesswomen IMAGE PwC 2026 Awards, the 2025 Women of Europe the Women in STEM award, the 2024 Grace Hopper award, and the 2021 XV International Prize “Le Tecno-visionarie” in the AI – Industrial Research category. In her previous role Alessandra was Head of Analytics Research at Nokia Bell Labs where she led research teams in several locations while driving changes across different activities, such as her contributions to the Nokia AI Ethics Advisory Board.

World-renowned musician and BBC TV broadcaster LJ Rich presents on the international technology show, BBC Click. In the last year she’s delivered lines at 75mph from the UK’s tallest thrill ride, performed to a drone in the sea off the Welsh Coast – and learned to rap on camera thanks to a mind-reading AI headset.LJ’s many innovative projects coupled with a wide knowledge of tech trends bring a unique spark to her professional speaking engagements. A highly accomplished pianist, she uses music to connect the emotional and rational minds of audiences, unlocking creative thinking and solving real-world problems. She believes AI/Machine Learning can be a companion to creativity and regularly uses it to enhance her original works. LJ also loves eating and singing, trains and planes, and solving difficult puzzles.

Amir Banifatemi is a technologist and institutional architect working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, human systems, and the long-term future of society.
As Chief Responsible AI Officer at Cognizant, he leads the company’s global Responsible AI strategy, designing the frameworks and governance mechanisms through which AI systems are developed, deployed, and integrated across enterprises and critical societal domains. He oversees the design and implementation of Responsible AI frameworks, ensuring alignment with international standards such as ISO/IEC 42001, NIST AI RMF, and other emerging Policy models across sectors and jurisdictions.
A prominent voice in international AI policy and trustworthy investments, he contributes to key initiatives at the OECD, GPAI, IEEE, and the ITU, where he focuses on operationalizing responsible AI and advancing cross-sector standards for AI security and accountability. He co-leads working groups on AI Futures, AI-Enabled Investments, and Trustworthy AI Ecosystems.

Previously, Amir served as Chief Innovation and Growth Officer at XPRIZE, where he launched and directed global competitions addressing grand challenges in AI, climate, and health. He co-founded the AI for Good movement and helped establish the AI for Good Global Summit in partnership with the ITU, aligning AI innovation with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

With more than 30 years of experience at the intersection of innovation, deep technology, and investment, Amir has helped shape and scale breakthrough initiatives across sectors—from public institutions like the European Space Agency and European Commission to venture-backed technology startups. He brings a systems-level approach to advancing emerging technologies such as AI, quantum computing, and predictive systems, with a consistent focus on real-world impact, interdisciplinary collaboration, and sustainable value creation.
He holds degrees in Electrical Engineering, an MBA, and a Doctorate in System Design and Cognitive Sciences.

Lori Rodney is the Global Head of Communications at Shutterstock. As a socially conscious storyteller, she leads the company’s worldwide external communications efforts with a current focus on empowering the world to tell their stories by bridging the gap between idea and execution. Prior to joining Shutterstock, Lori was the Global Head of Communications at Change.org, the world’s largest tech platform for social change, where she led the organization through critical world-shaping events, including the launch of its global Racial Justice Fund, crisis management related to the Russia/Ukraine conflict, and the overturning of Roe vs. Wade in the United States, among other initiatives.  

Lori’s broad range of experience includes brand strategy, government affairs, crisis communications, philanthropic initiatives, technology communications, data communications and regulatory milestones, multicultural and diversity programming, youth-driven and education-based initiatives, and social impact work. Beyond her direct work, she has become a trusted mentor to many of the next generation of communications leaders currently working across creative, pharmaceutical and non-profit advocacy organizations with a commitment to fostering value-based communications models for the future. Lori is a member of ColorComm, the premier business organization for women of color in the communications industry and CHIEF, a private, members-only network for the most powerful women in leadership. Lori has also been featured in PRWeek’s Power 50 List, the definitive guide to the 50 most influential communicators. 

Mariagrazia Squicciarini is Chief Researcher and Analyst of the UNESCO Sciences Sector. She helps strengthen the Sector’s capacity to identify emerging trends and deliver quality, interdisciplinary, anticipatory analysis across the Sciences. She further helps translate insights into actionable guidance for programme prioritisation and strategic positioning, including through engagement with the broader UN system, the G7, the G20 and other groups. Mariagrazia contributes to steer the design and implementation of programmes in a view of enhancing their quality, relevance and coherence, for greater and better scientific delivery and impact on the ground.

Before assuming this function, she was Chief of the Executive Office of the Social and Human Sciences Sector – now merged with the Natural Sciences Sector into a unique “Sciences” Sector – where she supervised, coordinated, steered and helped advance policy-relevant work related to the social transformation, including the ethics of science and technology – in particular, of Artificial Intelligence –; the youth; sport and antidoping; inclusion, antiracism and gender.

Mariagrazia holds a Ph.D. in Economics (in Micro-econometrics and the Economics of Innovation and New Technologies) from the University of Essex (UK). Before joining UNESCO, Mariagrazia worked for more than ten years at the OECD Directorate for Science Technology and Innovation as Senior Economist – Head of Unit, where she led and contributed policy-relevant analysis related to the changing determinants of growth and productivity; the economics of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR); knowledge-based capital; global value chains; the digital transformation and AI; job and skill dynamics; and the digital gender divide.

She has held a number of appointments, including at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland (FI), the University of Essex (UK) and the European Commission-Joint Research Centre (IPTS, ES), and has published extensively.