Cal Al-Dhubaib, based in Cleveland, is at the forefront of ethical artificial intelligence (AI) and data science as the Head of AI and Data Science at Further. After the 2024 acquisition of his company, Pandata, he has continued to innovate human-centered systems designed for some of Ohio’s biggest brands and industry leaders. Al-Dhubaib leads teams that create data-driven systems focused on enhancing customer experiences while prioritizing ethics and governance.
Prior to his role at Further, Al-Dhubaib founded Pandata, an AI design and development firm recognized for its responsible innovation in high-risk environments. Under his leadership, the firm established partnerships with significant organizations such as Cleveland Clinic, Progressive Insurance, and FirstEnergy, which set new standards for human-centered AI. Following the acquisition by Further, Al-Dhubaib’s vision of responsible AI continues to drive projects aimed at improving customer engagement.
A certified AI governance professional, Al-Dhubaib has reached thousands through keynote speeches at industry conferences including MAICON, ODSC, AI Summit, TDWI, and DataCamp. His insights and expertise have been featured in various reputable publications such as Forbes, Nasdaq, VentureBeat, and CDO Magazine.
In addition to his professional commitments, Al-Dhubaib is an active community member, serving on the board of Women in Analytics and supporting initiatives through the Greater Cleveland Partnership and the Cleveland Food Bank. His contributions have earned him recognition from Crain’s Cleveland Business as a Notable Immigrant Leader, Entrepreneur, and 40 Under 40 honoree. Al-Dhubaib’s primary mission remains to develop AI systems that enhance productivity and improve quality of life while ensuring responsibility in their design.
When discussing the future of Ohio’s innovation economy, Al-Dhubaib emphasizes the importance of workforce development. “Ohio’s opportunity is less about chasing the next shiny AI use case and more about building the workforce and controls to use AI well,” he stated. He noted the success of initiatives like TechCred, which invests in technical literacy at scale, underscoring that raising the bar on AI quality control will enable key sectors such as healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and retail to adopt AI confidently.
Looking ahead, Al-Dhubaib envisions a targeted approach to AI investments. He points out that areas suffering from labor shortages, particularly in healthcare, education, and manufacturing, are where AI can be most beneficial. He highlights the existing gap between newly graduated talent and the demand for experienced workers, advocating for funding and programs that facilitate on-the-job learning through methods like applied hackathons. “That gap will not close without funding and programs that support on-the-job learning, including applied, hackathon-style models that give people experience before they are expected to have it,” he explained.
This profile of Cal Al-Dhubaib is part of the OhioX and Ohio Tech News Next25 series, which highlights influential leaders under 35 who are driving Ohio’s innovation economy. From responsible AI to breakthroughs in medtech, the series showcases the individuals shaping the future of technology in the state.
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