I Am an Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Researcher.

Currently, I have the pleasure of serving as the Director of Operations and the Director of the Cognitive and Neurodiversity AI Lab (CoNA) at the Center for Equitable AI & Machine Learning Systems at Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD.

Image of Gabriella Waters

I am passionate about increasing the diversity of thought around technology and focuses on interdisciplinary collaborations to drive innovation, equity, explainability, transparency, and ethics in the development and application of AI tools.

In my research, I study the intersections between human neurobiology & learning, quantifying ethics & equity in AI/ML systems, neuro-symbolic architectures, and intelligent systems that make use of those foundations for improved human-computer synergy. I primarily develop technology innovations, with an emphasis on support for neurodiverse populations.

Image of Gabriella Waters speaking

What Drives Me…

AI Innovation

Driving innovation at the intersection of technology, cognition, and inclusivity, I focus on advancing transformative AI applications that address real-world challenges with a human-centered approach. By blending rigorous research with a deep understanding of human behavior, my work bridges technical innovation with societal impact to enable AI to empower diverse communities and industries while upholding ethical and equitable standards.

My work champions the design of AI systems that are not only innovative but also inclusive, with a particular emphasis on neurodiverse users and underrepresented groups. I strive to create adaptive, accessible technologies that meet diverse cognitive and physical needs to ensure equitable engagement while cultivating meaningful participation in an AI-driven world. This commitment reflects a broader vision of AI as a tool for societal empowerment and inclusion.

With a deep commitment to responsible AI governance, I collaborate across sectors to develop frameworks and policies that address critical issues such as harmful bias, transparency, and societal trust. My work bridges the gap between research and policy to promote ethical AI development and deployment while considering the long-term societal implications of emerging technologies. Through leadership and strategic collaboration, I aim to shape a future where AI serves humanity responsibly and equitably.

Image of Gabriella Waters speaking in front of news crew

I am also the Co-founder of Civitaas.

Civitaas is an organization dedicated to revolutionizing the way we approach technology.

With a focus on human-centered testing and evaluation, Civitaas is committed to fueling technology that offers practical utility in the real world.

“Gabriella Waters sees artificial intelligence as a change agent for good.” 

“My whole ethos is it’s meant to be a democratizing agent,” says the director of Morgan State’s Cognitive and Neurodiversity AI Lab (CoNA) at the Center for Equitable AI and Machine Learning Systems. The lab employs Al researchers, neuroscientists, psychologists and engineers to study Al and the intersections of cognition and neurodiversity, a term referring to how people’s brains interpret information differently and interact with the world around them.

The lab is researching cognitive digital twins, a kind of Al-powered computer simulation that allows scientists to replicate something in the real world, to eradicate bias in data collection. “Most AI that are trained have biases,” Waters says. “It costs money to obtain that data and preprocess it and clean it up.” Another project the lab is working on is an Al-powered platform to improve access for people with disabilities. Those two projects are indicative of Waters’s philosophy on AI, which she sees as a tool to “augment, not supplant human capability.”

“Right now, everything is driven by profit and humans are an afterthought,” she says. “But if we research it in that (democratizing) way, we can be better.”

— Lia Russell

The Baltimore Sun