Saeid Abolfazli is a passionate AI leader, AI educator, and public speaker with over a decade of hands-on experience in the practical application of data science and AI in both academic and industry settings. Currently serving as the Global Head of Data Science at Rakuten Kobo where Saeid leads a dynamic team focused on spearheading numerous AI initiatives that harness the power of data to drive substantial business value.
With a remarkable tenure of more than two decades as an educator, he serves as an Adjunct Lecturer at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto. Here, he imparts his wealth of knowledge by instructing executive master’s and master’s of health information students in the intricacies of AI. Moreover, since 2018, he has been an instructor and course creator at the School of Continuing Studies at the University of Toronto, where he educates on diverse AI-related subjects, including machine learning and Natural Language Processing.
Saeid’s teaching excellence has consistently shone through, as evidenced by consistently exceptional rankings and positive feedback from his students. He received the prestigious 2023 Excellence in Teaching Award from the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies.
Saeid holds a PhD in computer science, a masters degree in information systems and a bachelor of engineering degree in software engineering.