Stefania Druga

Stefania Druga, Ph.D., is a prominent researcher in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), currently working as a Research Scientist at Google Gemini, where she focuses on developing novel multimodal AI applications. She previously served as a Principal Researcher at the Center of Applied AI Research at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where she explored applications of large language models for social impact.23

Dr. Druga holds a Ph.D. in Creative AI Literacies from the University of Washington, where she graduated in 2023. Her academic background also includes a Master of Science in Media Arts and Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a Master of Science in Instructional Design from a consortium of universities in Europe.13

Her research interests encompass AI education, particularly focusing on how children interact with AI technologies. She is the founder of Cognimates, an open-source platform designed to teach AI literacy to children aged 7-14, enabling them to train their own machine learning models and create intelligent applications.4 Dr. Druga has also been involved in various educational initiatives, including the HacKIDemia project, which promotes STEM education for children globally.13

In addition to her research, she has received several awards, including the NSF FMitF Grant for her work on program synthesis and the Jacobs Foundation Grant for AI literacy projects.13 Dr. Druga's contributions to the field have made her a recognized figure in AI education and research, particularly in understanding and enhancing children's interactions with technology.