AI: The Global Conversation at Seattle AI Week 2025

​The Global BrainTrust is an advocacy coalition of community, business, institutional leaders from different nations whose collective aim is to present ‘the human response,’ from diverse national, cultural and social perspectives.

​Context

​Artificial intelligence (AI) promises immense benefits, yet also poses complex challenges for humanity. To thrive in an AI-powered world, we must optimize the opportunities and benefits brought about by greater AI adoption. We believe at The Global BrainTrust that this begins with building bridges, and broadening dialogue that extends beyond national borders, tech corridors and policy hubs.

​About us

​The Global BrainTrust was launched in Stanford, CA and Seattle, WA, in May 2024. We will be opening up a dialogue online as part of Seattle AI Week, on the implications of AI adoption, with our advisors, leading the discussions from four continents.

​Invitation

​We extend an invitation to all who are interested in the adoption of AI technologies, with a dive into universal issues associated with cultural diversity, the creative arts, community, and peace-making.

​THE PRESENTERS:

​Professor Ahmed Banafa is a Silicon Valley expert in IoT, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, and AI. His accolades include the Certificate of Honor from the City and County of San Francisco, the Haskell Award for Distinguished Teaching from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, and the Author & Artist Award from San Jose State University. He is the author of books and articles on emerging technologies.

​Sana Bagersh is an interculturalist with experience in managing comms projects in Africa, Europe, the USA, and the Gulf. She set up the Global BrainTrust to build bridges and expand the global AI conversation. She oversees a number of social impact platforms and is author of a governance guidebook entitled "What a Leader Should Be."

​Dr Fran Apprich is an international innovator and communication/media specialist. She has over 20 years of experience as a professor, media consultant, and international communication expert. She has worked with large European media companies, Ivy League academic institutions, and governmental entities.

​Brie Alexander is an educator, cultural producer, and media entrepreneur dedicated to social impact storytelling. Her mission is to amplify Africa and the Diaspora’s voices about AI and its impact, creating narratives that reflect our collective ethos and highlight untold stories.

​Zainab Hafiz is experienced in design, program development, change management, learning design, and delivery across industries and global organizations. She has over 20 years of global experience in healthcare, startups, construction, aviation, technology, education, and retail sales.

​Gabriella is a strategist and advisor to governments, corporate, startup entities, and ecosystems. Her background covers international economics, marketing, data, governance, legal, and finance. Her experience spans 65 developed and developing countries, and her focus is on bridging gaps between national realities and needs.

​Ethar ElTinay is a public policy and government innovation advisor who has a distinguished background in advisory and the public sector. She advises on policy making across various sectors and was the head of government engagement at COP28. She is also the founder of ThinkTankX.AI, a GovTech platform that aims to automate and democratize consulting.

​Prof Dr Rüdiger Funk is an economics professor, specializing in market analysis methodologies, international project management, and the optimization of procurement, material management, and logistics. His career spans over two decades at the University of Worms where he focuses on AI's use in markets, and on how its economic use can serve the greater good.

​ Learn more about The Global BrainTrust, and our monthly communiques on www.globalbraintrust.us.