AI Integration  ·  Speaking  ·  Education

Making AI Work
for Real People.

Dave Ghidiu helps organizations, educators, and communities cut through the hype and put artificial intelligence to work - practically, ethically, and effectively.

20+
Years Teaching
35+
Venues & Events
3
Focus Areas
Dave Ghidiu - AI Integration Expert and Speaker
About Dave

Professor. Strategist. Speaker.

Dave Ghidiu is an Assistant Professor of Computing Sciences at Finger Lakes Community College and Lead AI Strategist for the FLX AI Hub - a regional initiative bringing practical AI education to schools, businesses, and communities across Upstate New York.

With a Master's in Educational Technology and over two decades of experience in education, Dave has a rare ability to make complex technology feel approachable and immediately useful. His workshops and talks blend hands-on practice with real-world strategy - no jargon, no hype.

He leads FLCC's AI Microcredential program, co-hosts The Immersive Lens podcast on emerging technology, and has spoken at more than two dozen venues across higher education, K-12, healthcare, and industry.

Dave's philosophy is simple: he can teach you how AI works and put the right tools in your hands - but only you can bring your rich experience, unique perspective, and niche expertise to the table. That combination is where the real magic happens. It's a personal journey, and Dave meets people exactly where they are.

Speaking & Workshops

What Dave Speaks On

Available as keynotes, breakout sessions, full-day workshops, and webinars - each one customized for your audience and goals. Expect eye-popping, jaw-dropping moments that make AI feel genuinely exciting and immediately useful.

On-ramp to AI

A welcoming, non-judgmental introduction for low- or no-experience audiences. Meet people where they are and give them a confident, curious first step into AI.

AI Integration for Organizations

Practical frameworks for adopting AI tools, building real workflows, and navigating organizational change - without the buzzwords.

AI in Education

For K-12 teachers, college faculty, and administrators: how to use AI thoughtfully, set smart policy, and build AI-literate learners.

Prompt Engineering & AI Literacy

Hands-on workshops teaching teams how to communicate with AI effectively - from everyday tasks to advanced prompting frameworks.

Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

Evidence-based strategies for improving student outcomes, grounded in cognitive science and real classroom research.

Open Education & OER

The case for open content, Creative Commons licensing, and building a culture of sharing in education.

Available formats & audiences:

Keynote Workshop Webinar Panel K-12 Education Higher Education Business & Workforce Community Groups Healthcare
Sample Presentations

See Dave in Action

Click any card to view the full slide deck. All talks are available in adapted formats for your specific audience and event.

AI & Technology

Let's Use AI

A motivating introduction to AI adoption - addressing common fears, busting myths, and showing what's possible right now.

AI & Technology

The Current State of AI

A landscape overview of where AI technology stands today - what it can do, where it's heading, and what it means for your organization.

AI & Technology

AI Bias

Exploring how bias enters AI systems through training data and design choices - and concrete strategies to recognize and reduce it.

AI & Technology

AI Playground

A hands-on, interactive session where participants get to experiment with AI tools directly - learning by doing in a low-stakes, high-curiosity environment.

AI & Technology

FLCC's AI Roadmap

An inside look at how Finger Lakes Community College is approaching AI strategically - from policy and curriculum to community partnerships and workforce readiness.

AI & Technology

The Prompt Crescendo

A progressive framework for prompt engineering - building from simple everyday prompts all the way to advanced techniques that unlock AI's full potential.

Teaching & Learning

Myths of Teaching & Learning

Evidence-based debunking of common instructional myths - and what the research actually says about how people learn.

Teaching & Learning

Effective Learning Strategies

Cognitive science-backed techniques students and professionals can use immediately to learn more and retain more.

Open Education

Creative Commons, OER & Open Pedagogy

Why open content matters, how Creative Commons works, and practical steps toward open pedagogy in any classroom or organization.

Trusted by educators, organizations & events

Initiatives & Projects

Where I Put AI to Work

The platforms, programs, and communities I actively build and lead.

Built Things

Projects

A selection of tools, resources, and initiatives Dave has designed and built - most of them free and open to anyone.

Screenshot of FLX AI Hub website
flcc.ai
FLX AI Hub

FLCC's AI literacy initiative - delivering practical, hands-on workshops and webinars for schools, businesses, and communities across the Finger Lakes.

Visit site ↗
Screenshot of allOpen.org website
allopen.org
allOpen.org

A curated hub for open content, Creative Commons resources, and open pedagogy - built to make high-quality, freely licensed materials easy to find and use.

Visit site ↗
Screenshot of FLCC Center for Teaching and Learning website
flccctl.com
FLCC Center for Teaching & Learning

The Gladys M. Snyder CTL blog - celebrating the scholarship of teaching and learning with evidence-based articles, strategies, and resources for educators.

Visit site ↗
Screenshot of Open Computer Science website
opencompsci.com
Open Computer Science

Free, open-licensed Computer Science textbooks covering Java, Information Security, and more - built because CS textbooks shouldn't cost a fortune or go stale.

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Screenshot of Vibe Coding project showcase
daveghidiu.com/vibe
Vibe Coding

A showcase of vibe-coded tools built across multiple technologies - proof that anyone can build something genuinely useful with a little curiosity and a lot of AI.

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Screenshot of Escape Velocity event website
escapevelocityevent.org
Escape Velocity

A conference and community built around escaping the gravitational pull of the status quo - helping organizations transform through empathy-driven innovation and elevated programming.

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Screenshot of 2K Summer website
2ksummer.com
2K Summer

A free repository of large-scale summer camp programs - designed by passionate camp professionals and built to help any camp elevate their programming without breaking the budget.

Visit site ↗
Screenshot of The Immersive Lens podcast website
theimmersivelens.com
The Immersive Lens

A podcast co-hosted by Dave Ghidiu, Paul Engin, and Jeff Kidd exploring emerging technology - from AI and accessibility to the ways new tools are reshaping how we work, learn, and create.

Visit site ↗
Press & Media

Media Appearances

Podcast guest spots and video features covering AI, education, and emerging technology.

Let's Work Together

Book Dave for Your Next Event

Whether you need a keynote for a conference, a hands-on workshop for your team, or a webinar for your community - let's make it happen.

Keynote Workshop Webinar Consulting