About This Episode
Join Ashish Fernando in this engaging episode of Edu Unlocked as he sits down with Dr. Lin Zhou, Vice President for IT and Chief Information Officer at Texas Tech University. With a PhD in Physics and experience across both higher ed and Fortune 500 companies, Dr. Zhou brings a unique perspective on the intersection of business, technology, and education.
Topics Covered:
1. Dr. Zhou’s journey from IBM Watson to higher ed leadership
2. The evolving role of the CIO in education
3. How Texas Tech is using technology to improve student outcomes
4. Opportunities and challenges of AI in academia
5. Quantum computing and the future of immersive learning
6. Why transmitting smell might be the next big innovation
Key Takeaways for EdTech leaders:
1. Leverage AI with integrity—put guardrails in place
2. Invest in learning management systems to enable immersive digital learning
3. Inspire innovation by combining deep tech with human-centered leadership
Don’t miss Dr. Zhou’s brilliant story about inventing a technology to transmit smell—yes, really!
Host & Guest
Dr. Lin Zhou
GuestVice President for Information Technology, Chief Information Officer, and Executive Director of AI & Quantum Computing, TTU
Dr. Lin Zhou is a visionary technology executive, master inventor, and educator with over 25 years of global leadership experience spanning higher education and Fortune 500 companies. As Vice President for Information Technology, Chief Information Officer, and Executive Director of AI & Quantum Computing at TTU, Dr. Zhou integrates advanced technologies with strategic institutional goals to drive innovation, digital transformation, and academic excellence.
A thought leader in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and emerging technologies, Dr. Zhou holds a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Glasgow. His career reflects a rare combination of scientific depth, entrepreneurial spirit, and executive leadership—bridging the worlds of research, technology, and education.
Before joining TTU, Dr. Zhou served as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at The New School in New York City, where he founded the university’s Innovation Center and launched the first-ever Quantum Design Jam and Quantum Exhibition. His pioneering work earned international recognition and multiple awards, including the CIO100 Award, IDG/CIO FutureEdge50 Award, and the Wharton-QS Reimagine Education Gold Prize.
Prior to The New School, Dr. Zhou played a pivotal role in scaling IBM Watson Education from a start-up initiative into a global leader in AI for education. His work has been featured by the Discovery Channel and acclaimed at global innovation forums. A lifelong advocate for STEM learning, he continues to mentor young innovators, including students who have achieved national recognition in science competitions.
Key Achievements:
1. Leads TTU’s strategic initiatives in AI, quantum computing, and digital transformation as CIO and Executive Director.
2. Founded The New School’s Innovation Center and spearheaded groundbreaking Quantum Computing initiatives.
3. Recipient of the CIO100 Award, IDG/CIO FutureEdge50 Award, and Wharton-QS Reimagine Education Gold Prize.
4. Played a key role in building IBM Watson Education into a global AI leader.
5. Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Glasgow, with expertise spanning AI, Blockchain, Cloud Computing, and Quantum Technologies.
6. Internationally recognized technologist, speaker, and mentor committed to advancing science, innovation, and education.
Ashish Fernando
HostFounder & CEO, EDMO
Ashish Fernando is the visionary founder and CEO of EDMO, a revolutionary educational technology platform that's transforming how people learn and grow. With over 15 years of experience in education and technology, Ashish has dedicated his career to making quality education accessible to learners worldwide. Before founding EDMO, Ashish held leadership positions at several prominent EdTech companies and worked as an educational consultant for Fortune 500 companies. He holds an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business and a Master's in Computer Science from MIT. Ashish is a frequent speaker at educational conferences and has been featured in publications such as EdTech Magazine, Learning & Development Today, and TechCrunch. He's passionate about the intersection of technology and human potential, believing that the right tools can unlock extraordinary learning outcomes for everyone. Under his leadership, EDMO has grown to serve over 100,000 learners globally and has partnerships with leading educational institutions and corporations. Ashish continues to drive innovation in personalized learning, adaptive assessment, and educational analytics.
Key Achievements:
Founded EDMO in 2019, now serving 100,000+ learners globally
Named 'EdTech Innovator of the Year' by Learning Technology Awards 2023
Featured speaker at Global Education Summit 2024
Published researcher in educational technology and learning analytics
Advisor to multiple EdTech startups and educational initiatives
Show Notes
- 1 01:04-Introduction of Dr. Lynn Zhao, Vice President for IT & CIO at Texas Tech University.
- 2 05:24-Context on the university’s scale and strategic mission, including access to education and community impact.
- 3 08:12-Dr. Zhao outlines his four strategic pillars for leveraging technology
- 4 13:16-Key insight on AI adoption barriers: hallucination, knowledge cutoff, and lack of transparency.
- 5 18:59-Dr. Zhao shares a fascinating story about his work in transmitting smell electronically
Key Quotes
"Technology is not just a tool to learn—it’s a partner in learning."
"We are more connected than ever—but that doesn’t mean we should stop innovating."
"Think beyond ChatGPT: quantum computing and sensory tech could revolutionize education."
Resources
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