Abran Maldonado – Global AI Innovator & Digital Human Pioneer
Abran Maldonado is an internationally recognized AI innovator, keynote speaker, and co-founder of Create Labs, a Black and Brown-founded creative technology studio recognized by VentureBeat as one of the Most Promising AI Startups. His work sits at the intersection of technology, culture, and human experience—designing next-generation AI systems that reimagine how people learn, heal, and connect.
Abran is an early tester and trusted partner of OpenAI, Google AI, NVIDIA, and ElevenLabs, contributing feedback and use-case development across their emerging generative models in image, video, and speech. As one of OpenAI’s original beta testers and community ambassadors, he advances the field of prompt engineering and responsible AI adoption for creators, enterprises, and institutions worldwide.
Through Create Labs, Abran leads projects that bridge cutting-edge innovation with real-world impact—including AI products in education, healthcare, entertainment, and digital human design. His pioneering creations include C.L.Ai.R.A., the world’s first GPT-powered digital human and woman of color, and groundbreaking initiatives like Mastercard’s first AI tool, the first AI-powered mayor for a European city, and AI avatars for public figures, celebrities and educators.
Abran’s thought leadership has been featured in The Washington Post, Wired, and Fast Company. He has delivered AI keynotes and masterclasses around the world—from Italy, Prague, and London to Qatar and Zambia—helping organizations navigate the opportunities and ethics of artificial intelligence with clarity, creativity, and cultural insight.
