Beth Rudden

CEO and Chairwoman of Bast AI

Keynote:
AI for everyone: Rethinking inclusion in the age of intelligent technology

May 6, 9:05 – 10:05 a.m.
Convocation Hall

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the way we work, communicate, and make decisions—but is it truly built for everyone? While AI has the potential to drive innovation and efficiency, its development too often reflects a narrow range of experiences, leading to systems that fail to serve the diverse communities that rely on them. If we want AI to be a force for progress, we must rethink who is represented in its design, development, and deployment.

In this keynote, Beth Rudden—a leader in AI ethics and digital transformation—will challenge us to move beyond the status quo and consider the ways AI can become more human-centered, transparent, and equitable. Through real-world examples and emerging trends, she will explore how bias in AI affects the tools we use every day, why diversity in AI development isn’t just an ethical issue but a strategic necessity, and how we can foster more inclusive technology in our own professional spaces.

Whether we are building systems, shaping policies, or making data-driven decisions, each of us plays a role in the future of AI. This conversation will invite attendees to reflect on their own impact and consider how they can contribute to an AI landscape that works for all. The session will conclude with an interactive Q&A, encouraging a discussion on how we can collectively shape a more welcoming and accessible digital future.

Beth Rudden is a dynamic global executive and market creator with over two decades of expertise in IT leadership and cognitive science. Her tenure as chief data officer, chief data scientist and global talent transformation leader saw her deftly steer digital transformations through the strategic deployment of trusted, high-integrity AI systems. Rudden’s vision transformed analytics and AI advances into a profitable $2 billion enterprise, placing her among the foremost 100 leaders in AI ethics.

A staunch proponent and trailblazer of ethical AI, Rudden advocates for the democratization of transparent and responsible AI technologies. She founded Bast AI in 2022, which revolutionizes how organizations leverage full-stack explainable AI to improve business impact and end-user adoption of AI technologies across industries and sectors. Rudden honed her analytical insight with a masters degree in anthropology from the University of Denver and sharpened her literary skills with a classics degree from Florida State University. As an influential keynote speaker, inventor with over 50 patents and author of AI for the Rest of Us, her contributions are formidable.

Beyond her professional achievements, Rudden flourishes in her role as a storyteller, wife of a soldier, mother, mentor and revered science and technology board advisor. Her dedication to fostering educational and innovative pursuits is mirrored in her active role on the Maryville University Board of Trustees, where she tirelessly works to sculpt the next generation of innovators.