Luis von Ahn, a successful entrepreneur and computer scientist who is considered one of the pioneers of crowdsourcing, will speak at the NAFSA 2024 Annual Conference & Expo in New Orleans. Currently the cofounder and CEO of Duolingo, a popular language-learning platform, von Ahn will sit for a “fireside chat” with Fanta Aw, executive director and CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, during the plenary session on Tuesday, May 28.
Von Ahn is known for coinventing CAPTCHA, which distinguishes between humans and bots online; receiving a MacArthur Fellowship, commonly called a “genius grant;” and founding two companies that were acquired by Google while in his 20s. Von Ahn was named one of the “10 Most Brilliant Scientists” by Popular Science Magazine, one of the “50 Best Brains in Science” by Discover, and one of the “100 Most Innovative People in Business” by Fast Company Magazine. In 2018, von Ahn won the Lemelson-MIT Prize and in 2023, he was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
“As a former international student from Guatemala, Luis’ life and career have been about breaking down barriers and seizing opportunities to redefine what is possible through technology,” said Aw. “His relentless pursuit of out-of-the-box solutions has created important new pathways to language learning. Being able to connect in a shared language is essential for fostering mutual understanding, experiencing the rich benefits of cultural immersion, and succeeding in today’s global marketplace. Conference attendees will no doubt be inspired by his personal journey and his bold vision for the future of education.”
Von Ahn’s commitment to expanding access to knowledge and using technology to work through challenges, solve problems, and provide new opportunities dovetails with the theme of the NAFSA 2024 Annual Conference & Expo: “Resilience. Renewal. Community.” This premier event in the field of international education will convene international education professionals from across the globe to share experiences, resources, and tools for connecting with and empowering students and scholars across cultures, languages, religions, and regions.
More information about the plenary speakers and the annual conference program can be found at nafsa.org/NAFSA2024.
About the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo
The 76th NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo is the world’s largest gathering of professionals in international education. The conference offers a wide array of learning and networking opportunities and features more than 150 sessions, 150 posters, and 25 workshops on the most crucial topics in international education and exchange. A major highlight of the conference is the International Education Expo, which features exhibitors representing hundreds of organizations from around the world, including colleges and universities; study abroad and intensive-English programs; embassies and government agencies; and more. Learn more at nafsa.org/NAFSA2024. #NAFSA2024
About NAFSA: Association of International Educators
Serving more than 10,000 members and international educators worldwide, NAFSA: Association of International Educators is the largest nonprofit association dedicated to international education and exchange. Visit us at nafsa.org/press. To learn more about our advocacy efforts on behalf of international education, visit nafsa.org/takeaction. Resources to guide our members on regulatory issues can be found at nafsa.org/reginfo.