Katharina Koerner
AI Governance Lead
Western Governors University (WGU)
Katharina Koerner is a seasoned professional with expertise in senior management, legal, and technical domains. Based in Silicon Valley since 2020, she specializes in tech policy, privacy, security, AI regulation, and trustworthy AI. Katharina is an active member of the Tech Diplomacy Network, fostering collaboration between diplomats, civil society, and the tech industry.
As the AI Governance Lead at Western Governors University (WGU) since March 2024, she develops and implements governance frameworks for AI/ML systems, ensuring alignment with company policies and best practices. Previously, she was the Corporate Development Manager at Daiki, a seed-stage startup focused on AI strategy and governance.
Katharina holds a PhD in EU Law, a JD in Law, and certifications in information security, privacy, privacy engineering, and ML. Her career includes roles as CEO of an international education group and 10 years in the Austrian public service. At the International Association for Privacy Professionals (IAPP), she was a Principal Researcher - Technology, focusing on privacy engineering and AI research.
Session Title and Short Descriptions:
01. Responsible and Ethical AI: Global Developments
This presentation highlights the global trends in AI governance. Katharina Koerner will explore how responsible AI frameworks can be adapted to local contexts, including the role of AI in addressing Africa-specific challenges like digital inclusion, data privacy, and governance gaps. The session will address key regulatory efforts on AI emerging in Africa, and provide insights into how organizations and policymakers can ensure ethical AI development that aligns with local priorities and values.
02. Leveraging AI in Education: Enhancing Student Outcomes
This presentation will focus on how AI can transform education by tackling key challenges such as personalized learning, improving learner engagement, and optimizing resource management. Katharina Koerner will highlight AI tools that can be applied to enhance teaching practices, accommodate diverse learning needs, and streamline operational efficiency across educational institutions. Specific use cases will demonstrate how AI can be utilized within the university to improve student outcomes, from AI-assisted tutoring to predictive analytics for student success. The session will also address how universities can create their own AI governance frameworks to ensure the responsible deployment of AI in academic settings, bridging educational gaps and fostering innovation across departments.This presentation will focus on how AI can transform education by tackling key challenges such as personalized learning, improving learner engagement, and optimizing resource management. Katharina Koerner will highlight AI tools that can be applied to enhance teaching practices, accommodate diverse learning needs, and streamline operational efficiency across educational institutions. Specific use cases will demonstrate how AI can be utilized within the university to improve student outcomes, from AI-assisted tutoring to predictive analytics for student success. The session will also address how universities can create their own AI governance frameworks to ensure the responsible deployment of AI in academic settings, bridging educational gaps and fostering innovation across departments.