New Year’s resolution leads to global recognition for online Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence student

Moza Kudonu squared her shoulders and marched into 2026 determined to conquer every challenge that came her way. First, she enrolled in Purdue University’s online Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (MSAI) and then she entered the Global Ethical AI Congress’ 2026 Specialized Talent Award of the Year competition.

Both proved to be smart, bold moves.

Kudonu is already applying her AI Management and Policy major to work projects. And she won the award.

“One of my resolutions for this year was to be proud of everything that I’ve achieved and to be grateful at the same time,” Kudonu said. “I’ve accomplished a lot in life, but I tend to not celebrate what I’ve achieved.”

When Kudonu, a senior technology consultant based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, entered the competition, she was between projects. Her online classes had not started. Work was slow because of the holidays.

One day she opened her email from the Global Ethical AI Congress and saw the contest notice. When she read it, she discovered it required her to list her accomplishments. That was the moment of truth.

Keeping her New Year’s resolution

Long active in the ethical AI space, Kudonu wrote three conference papers for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), two focusing on AI and one presented at an IEEE conference. As a member of several professional organizations, she advocated for safe AI practices, increased governance and strengthening the ethical framework surrounding AI. Noting these efforts would mean tooting her own horn, something Kudonu has long been uncomfortable with.

“I said to myself, ‘I should learn to appreciate and celebrate myself because that’s when my gratefulness will really come out,” Kudonu said.

You can’t say you’re grateful without being proud of your own self and your own achievements and the battles you overcame. So, this is what pushed me to do it. I was like, whether I win or I don’t win, at least I tried

Moza Kudonu

Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence student

Soon after entering the competition, Kudonu’s life found a new cadence. Her MSAI classes started. Her work and academic worlds merged.

With clients in the Middle East, the Asia-Pacific region, the European Union and the United States, Kudonu enjoyed hearing the perspectives of her professors and classmates from around the world and approaching work projects with new insights.

“In my current role, I’m doing a lot with AI governance and I wanted to learn more from other people and hear their perspectives,” Kudonu said. “This is an opportunity not just for me to add academic depth to the foundation that I already have, but it helps to sharpen the edge of the knowledge that I already have.”

A new plan for a new challenge

Kudonu’s academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in forensic science and a master’s degree in AI and computer science. She said she switched from a cybersecurity mindset to focusing on AI governance because she has always focused on the future. What she saw convinced her that safeguards were not being developed as quickly as the technology.

“Back in the days when I was doing digital forensics, I was thinking of a new area that was not developed,” she said. “Cyber had been developed. But when it came to AI, people treated it like it was the same topic. They thought, ‘That’s been covered already. What’s in cyber applies for AI.’

“But one thing we need to know about AI is no one fully understands it 100%. And it’s something really smart. Basically, you can instruct it to do ABC, and it will do XYZ.”

That concerned her. In addition to inspiring her to search for a degree program that addressed AI governance and security, her passion led her to likeminded people who introduced her to the Global Ethical AI Congress.

“We like to be proactive — not waiting for what happens and then see what we do from there — but thinking of what could happen, what are the risks and how we can start taking care of that,” Kudonu said.

“With the development of AI regulations around the world, you can see its importance and how it touches everyone’s life, not just a specific sector, a specific space, but basically everyone currently in this world. Having a good understanding and knowing how to be protected against this is the most crucial part.”

Global Ethical AI Congress

Months passed. Kudonu, who battles data breaches as part of her current role, stopped thinking about the contest. She heard many qualified people had entered the contest and tackling data breaches took up more and more of her time.

“Nothing seemed unusual about that busy morning until my phone started buzzing. And kept buzzing,” Kudonu said.

“I’m getting lots of notifications and everyone is congratulating me. I thought, ‘I don’t remember doing anything. Why is everyone saying, Congratulations, Moza?’ And then I saw it. I was really happy! It was great to feel that all the hard work and everything that I did was not gone for waste. It was being recognized. It’s really a rewarding feeling.”

The award, academic support, increase in breach occurrences, and her growing awareness that AI could be used in future crimes has convinced Kudonu that her commitment to improve the governance surrounding AI is justified.

Learn more about the Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence program at its website.