Dr. Yemaya Bordain, President of the Americas at Daedalean, is helping build the first AI systems ever certified for safety-critical aircraft.

However, her story begins long before the advent of aviation AI.

She was the first Black woman to earn a PhD in Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois. Her mission? To make sure she wouldn't be the last.

In this conversation, we talk about:

-What AI on aircraft actually means (it’s not what you think)

-Why human judgment still beats machines

-She has experience breaking barriers in academia.

-And how trust—not tech—is the foundation of autonomy

 

This episode is about more than flight. It’s about legacy, systems leadership, and building a future that doesn't leave people behind.

 

 

Hosted by Eric J. Rodriguez

I’m a global keynote speaker, strategist, and host of The Future of Human Experience. I work with leaders and organizations navigating rapid change—helping them center innovation around people, not just technology.

 

 

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