Ms Nasreen Watson

Nasreen Watson is the Founder of AI STRATA, an initiative focused on Artificial Intelligence strategy, governance, and ethical alignment within educational and organisational contexts. She is an AI ethics researcher, speaker, and advisor whose work explores the relationship between philosophy, technology, governance, and social impact. Her areas of interest include Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED), digital literacy, algorithmic bias, ethical governance, and equitable technological development.

She holds a Master of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Johannesburg, specialising in the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Education, as well as a BA Honours in Philosophy awarded cum laude and a BA in Human Resource Management. Her academic background combines philosophical inquiry with organisational and governance perspectives, enabling her to approach AI from both theoretical and applied dimensions. She is also ISO/IEC 42001:2023 certified in Artificial Intelligence Management Systems, reflecting her engagement with responsible AI governance, compliance, and risk management frameworks.

Nasreen???s research critically examines how AI systems shape educational and organisational environments, particularly within contexts marked by inequality and uneven technological access. Her work explores questions surrounding educational equity, inclusion, digital exclusion, and ethical responsibility in AI-driven systems. She has written extensively on the limitations of access-based approaches to educational technology, arguing that technological access alone is insufficient without broader considerations of capability development, critical literacy, and structural inequality.

Her research further investigates the tensions between universal ethical principles and culturally grounded approaches to AI governance. Drawing on philosophical traditions including Human Rights Approaches, African philosophy, and pluralistic ethics, she analyses the ethical complexities surrounding emerging technologies in both local and global contexts. Her work contributes to ongoing discussions about responsible AI implementation, particularly in relation to education, governance, and social justice.

Before moving fully into academia, Nasreen worked in the corporate sector across Human Resources, organisational culture, communication, performance management, and governance functions. Her professional experience within large institutional environments strengthened her understanding of organisational systems, strategy, and people-centred leadership. This practical background continues to inform her work today, particularly her ability to connect ethical theory with institutional implementation and policy development.

Nasreen previously lectured within the Department of Philosophy at the University of Johannesburg, where she contributed to undergraduate teaching, academic mentoring, curriculum support, and student development initiatives. Her work within the Extended Curriculum Programme focused on creating accessible and supportive learning environments for students from diverse educational backgrounds. She also served as a Senior Tutor, guest lecturer, academic writing consultant, and conference support coordinator within the department.

Alongside her academic work, Nasreen is an active public speaker and thought leader. She has presented at national and international conferences on AI ethics, educational equity, digital governance, and cross-cultural ethical frameworks. Her TEDx talk, ???From No Chair to Africa???s AI,??? reflects her interest in education, technological transformation, and opportunity within the African context.

Her public writing has appeared in the Mail & Guardian, where she examines issues relating to digital violence, online culture, AI governance, and algorithmic harm. Through both academic and public engagement, she seeks to encourage more critical and socially responsible conversations around emerging technologies and their impact on society.

Through AI STRATA, Nasreen works to bridge the gap between academic research and practical implementation by contributing to discussions on responsible AI adoption, governance strategy, and ethical leadership. Her broader goal is to help shape AI systems and policies that prioritise inclusion, accountability, and long-term social impact within rapidly evolving technological environments.