Simplicity Speaks Sagacity

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Bristling with aplomb and buoyancy, Dr John MAEDA stands out at the intersection of design, computing, art and education for his pioneering innovations. He is a globally celebrated technologist, designer, author and entrepreneur whose contributions extend beyond the disciplines.

Maeda, currently Vice-President of Design and AI at Microsoft, was an early catalyst for generative art and computational design for commercial applications across Web2 and Web3. During his early career, he taught Media Arts and Sciences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and served as Associate Director of Research in the MIT Media Lab. He also served for the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) as its 16th President from 2008 to 2014.

In November 2022, City University of Hong Kong (CityU) conferred an Honorary Doctor of Engineering on Maeda, who later engaged in a riveting dialogue with Professor Richard M WALKER, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) and Professor Christine HUANG Yi-hui, Associate Dean (Faculty and Research) of CLASS. He spoke of the bumpy but profound journey as a versatile leader and shared his wisdom on resilience and multidisciplinary education, imparting advice to young students in the digital era.

The dialogue was surprisingly in unison with what CLASS resolves to accomplish. Aside from fostering academic and professional exchanges in humanities and social sciences, the College has been assiduous in exploring the humanistic perspectives on science and technology advancement through impactful interdisciplinary research in light of the unprecedented challenges in the global society so as to nurture innovators and influencers who will make a positive difference in the world to create a sustainable future.

A Powerful Combo