This November, the SDF Festival of Learning & Development welcomes Dr. Stella Lee—renowned learning technology strategist and Director at Paradox Learning—as a keynote speaker. Her session promises to be a cornerstone for L&D professionals in higher education eager to harness artificial intelligence responsibly and effectively.
Stella Lee’s work centres on AI literacy: the essential knowledge and skills that enable individuals to understand, evaluate, and use AI systems critically and safely in an increasingly digital world. Her AI Literacy Framework, developed specifically for educators and L&D practitioners, goes far beyond prompt engineering or basic tool use. It encompasses eight key dimensions, including data fluency, critical thinking, ethical considerations, and the ability to adapt to rapid technological change.
A core feature of Lee’s framework is the concept of Modes of Engagement—the ways users interact with AI to demonstrate true literacy. These modes include:
- Understanding: Grasping how AI works and its potential implications.
- Evaluating: Critically assessing AI outputs, including issues of bias, accuracy, and ethics.
- Using: Applying AI tools thoughtfully in educational and professional contexts.
For L&D professionals, Lee argues that AI literacy is now a non-negotiable skill. It empowers us to design inclusive, future-ready learning experiences, ensure ethical AI use, and cultivate adaptability within our teams and institutions. Her keynote will offer practical strategies for embedding AI literacy across the sector, from tailored training to fostering a culture of critical inquiry and continuous upskilling.
As AI continues to reshape higher education, Stella Lee’s session at the SDF Festival 2025 is a must for anyone committed to leading with confidence, competence, and integrity in the digital age.
About the author: Dr Stella Lee is an academic-turn-consultant, an ed-tech and AI strategist, international speaker, startup advisor, LinkedIn Learning instructor, writer and executive board member for the Learning and Development Accelerator. With over 20 years of experience in digital learning, Stella combines her passion, academic background, and knowledge in computer science, visual art, human-computer interaction, and adult education with her unique global insights for her work with clients such as the UNICEF, United Nations, Asian Development Bank, The Open University, Government of Yukon, Government of Alberta, WorkSafeBC, TransLink, Bosa Properties, Arco/Murray Construction, and InnoEnergy. She is the founder of Paradox Learning Inc., a boutique consulting firm based in Calgary, Canada. Still firmly keeping one foot in academia, Stella continues to research, collaborate, mentor, and teach with universities and institutions worldwide. Stella’s research interests include AI applications for education, ed-tech ethics, personalised and adaptive learning systems, and learning analytics.