Program

9:00am: Registration and Summit opening with coffee and networking

10:00am: Welcome: ID Dean Anijo Mathew and Albert Shum

10:20am: Vector Space Introduction with Anurag Duddu (MDes + MPA 2025)

Keynote & Fireside Chat: Our Professional Futures in the Age of AI

In a keynote and fireside chat, Rohit Prasad, Amazon SVP & Head Scientist of Artificial General Intelligence, will explore critical questions about the impacts of AI and AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) on our professional futures with Founder and Former CEO of Fieldglass, Jai Shekhawat.

The discussion will examine emerging short-term and long-term developments worth monitoring, and consider how for-profit companies can prioritize long-term stakeholder value beyond immediate shareholder returns.

Physical Worlds & Infrastructure

Ryan Powell, Director and Head of User Experience at Waymo, will discuss how AI works at a systems level, such as urban environments.  His talk will address how our physical worlds evolve to adapt to AI-driven transportation, infrastructures, and logistics.

Enjoy lunch together alongside a design showcase from ID faculty and students.

New York Salon Recap: The Future of Media & Information

Judd Morgenstern, Co-Managing Partner of Partners Resolute, and Robin Kwong, Product Director at Yahoo News, will explore how AI is transforming media production and consumption. Their discussion will examine ways to address bias in algorithms, combating misinformation, and promoting media literacy in the age of AI.

Moderated by ID Dean Anijo Mathew.

Corporate Panel: Beyond Silicon Valley

Ruth Kikin-Gil, Responsible AI Strategist at Microsoft, Liz Danzico, VP of Design for Microsoft AI and Founding Chair of the MFA in Interaction Design at SVA, and Ellie Kemery, Principal AI User Research Lead at SAP Business AI, will examine how companies are realizing the potential of AI. The panel will explore how businesses are breaking out of Silicon Valley to consider AI’s implementation and impact around the world.

Moderated by Kevin Bethune.

Followed by a break: 3–3:45pm.

Scaling AI for All Stakeholders

Moneta Ho Director, Head of Consumer Design at WhatsApp, and Avani Agarwal, Product Designer at WhatsApp, will discuss approaches to scaling AI for the next billion users. Their presentation will explore design strategies that address the needs of diverse stakeholders, from illiterate farmers to digitally fluent users.

Auckland Salon Recap: Culture & Democracies

Terry Williams Wilcock, Chief Customer Officer at RUSH Digital, and Chelsea Pratt, Design Lead & Strategist at Thoughtfull, will explore how we can use AI to address challenges to democracy, including misinformation, voter apathy, and political polarization. Their session will examine how we might use AI to make democracy more accessible.

Moderated by ID Dean Anijo Mathew.

Keynote: Future-Proofing an Entire City: Behind Dubai’s Obsession With the Future

How do you future-proof an entire city? In this closing keynote, Abdulaziz AlJaziri, Deputy CEO & COO of the Dubai Future Foundation, will present Dubai Future Foundation’s vision and strategy—a roadmap for building the city of the future, today. Drawing from DFF’s foresight-driven approach, he will explore how Dubai is scaling AI and advanced technologies, not in isolation, but as part of a broader transformation that touches infrastructure, governance, talent, and society.

6pm: Recap and what to expect for the final day with Albert Shum and Anijo Mathew.

6:15pm: Shapeshift Reception

Recap of the previous day’s sessions with ID Dean Anijo Mathew and Albert Shum

Keynote & Fireside Chat: Shaping an Inclusive AI Future

Anamitra Deb of Omidyar Networks will deliver the opening keynote followed by a fireside chat with ID Visiting Assistant Professor Jessica Meharry. The session will explore how we might shape a responsible future with access to AI’s benefits for all humans and examine the challenges in promoting equity and fairness.

Ethical AI in Tech Companies

Timothy Bardlavens of Adobe will examine what actions tech companies and platforms might take to become ethical and just in their AI outcomes and representations.

Tokyo Salon Recap: Mental Health and Wellbeing

Kunitake Saso, CEO & Founder of BIOTOPE, and Kevin Yamada, Managing Partner of BIOTOPE, will explore how AI can be leveraged to support mental health, promote well-being, and foster more inclusive and empathetic communities. Their session will examine how AI might drive community planning and strategies for health and wellness.

Moderated by ID Dean Anijo Mathew.

Enjoy lunch together alongside a design showcase from ID faculty and students.

Corporate Panel: AI Implementation and Impact

Three corporate leaders—Brian Walker, SVP, Chief Product Officer of Grainger; Jeff Hsu, Chief Innovation Officer at Far Eastern Group; and Fredrik Holmén, Co-Founder of Eidra—will explore how organizations are using AI in their workflows to deliver impact and measure success.

Moderated by Kelly Franznick of BlinkUX.

Pune Salon Recap: Skillbuilding and Social Impact

Amit Kundal, Associate Dean at FLAME University and Ravi Mahamuni, Head of Design Research Lab at TCS Research, will recap the 2024 Pune Shapeshift Salon.

Their session will examine how we can leverage AI for inclusive growth and skill development, and address the needs of marginalized communities while bridging the digital divide in countries like India.

Moderated by ID Dean Anijo Mathew.

Followed by a break: 3–3:45pm.

Emerging roles in the Age of AI

Jon Friedman, Corporate Vice President of Design and Research for Microsoft 365, and Amy Guterman, Senior Director of Innovation, Philanthropy at Salesforce, join a conversation with ID students and Signals co-chairs Daniela Velez and Mariana Pinet.

Their discussion will explore emerging professional roles in the age of AI and how design practice will evolve as new technologies move into our workplaces.

5:15–5:30pm Closing with Albert Shum and Anijo Mathew.