Maya Ackerman

A headshot of Maya Ackerman smiling with a solid white background.

CEO/Co-founder of WaveAI, Santa Clara University Professor

  • The Generative AI Revolution: Past, Present & Future

    Creativity in the Age of AI

    AI, Ethics, and the Future of Humanity

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  • Bay Area, California

Dr. Maya Ackerman stands at the forefront of the generative AI industry as the CEO and co-founder of WaveAI, a groundbreaking venture that is reshaping the landscape of music creation. A trailblazer in her field, Ackerman has dedicated her career since 2014 to researching and developing generative AI models applicable to text, music, and art. Her pioneering work not only pushes the boundaries of technological advancement but also emphasizes a human-centric approach, showcasing the remarkable potential of AI in enhancing human creativity. A prolific scholar, Dr. Ackerman’s extensive research has culminated in over 50 peer-reviewed publications, and her work has been cited in more than 1200 academic papers, affirming her status as a key influencer and thought leader in the generative AI domain.

A “Woman of Influence” as named by the Silicon Valley Business Journal, Dr. Ackerman’s insights have been featured on platforms like NBC News, New Scientist, and NPR, and she has graced stages at the United Nations, IBM Research, and Stanford University. Her role in the Steering Committee of the Association on Computational Creativity and contributions to numerous AI journals and conferences underline her influence in shaping the future of AI.

Dr. Ackerman’s academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Waterloo, postdoctoral fellowships at Caltech and UC San Diego, and Associate Professor in the Computer Science and Engineering Department at Santa Clara University. Her awards from the Association of Computational Creativity, Office of Naval Research, and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, among others, testify to her exemplary contributions to AI and computational creativity.

At the heart of Dr. Ackerman’s work is WaveAI, whose products LyricStudio and MelodyStudio are used by millions of musicians worldwide, resulting in chart-topping hits and viral songs. Her unique position as a researcher, educator, and entrepreneur, combined with her opera singer and music producer talents, makes Dr. Ackerman a multifaceted icon in the dynamic intersection of AI, creativity, and technology.

More on Maya Ackerman

Maya’s Previous Speaking Experience

Dr. Maya Ackerman is an esteemed generative AI expert and CEO/co-founder of WaveAI. She is renowned for her compelling speeches at prestigious venues like the United Nations AI for Good Summit and Stanford University. A highly sought-after speaker, she has captivated audiences at the NVIDIA GPU Technology Conference, eHarmony, San Francisco Art Institute, and the Microsoft AI and Gaming Research Summit with her insights into AI’s creative potential in music and beyond. Ackerman’s presentations, such as “Machines vs. Minds: Navigating the Future of Generative AI” and “Generative AI and human creativity: What now?” are distinguished by her ability to weave together complex AI concepts with the nuances of human creativity, making her a standout voice in the realms of technology and the arts.

Maya Ackerman holding a microphone and speaking on stage at an event.

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