Democratizing AI access for organizations, leaders, and learners who refuse to be left behind.
"I don't just teach AI — I build pathways into it for people who've been told the door is closed."
I'm Dr. Uohna Thiessen — founder of DataScienceDoctor LLC and Nextelligence, Ph.D. epidemiologist, and AI/ML strategist with a decade spanning academia, consulting, and Big Tech. My work sits at the intersection of rigorous data science and radically accessible education.
As Strategic AI Advisor & Industry Partnership for Break Through Tech Fellows at Cornell Tech, I help the next generation of technologists build high-impact AI/ML projects that matter. As an instructor on Udacity, Udemy, and Teachable, I've helped thousands develop practical fluency in machine learning and data science.
Before launching my own ventures, I honed my craft at Meta, McKinsey & Company, and BCBS — applying data strategy at the highest levels before turning that expertise into a mission.
Whether you're building an AI-ready workforce, launching an ML initiative, or designing educational programs that actually work — I bring the strategy, the science, and the pedagogy to get you there.
End-to-end strategy for organizations navigating the AI transition — from data infrastructure assessment to responsible deployment frameworks and ROI measurement.
Custom curriculum design and delivery that builds genuine AI fluency across technical and non-technical teams. No jargon, no gatekeeping — just real skills that stick.
Architecting high-impact AI/ML challenge projects for accelerators, bootcamps, and university programs — ensuring technical rigor meets real-world relevance.
1:1 AI readiness coaching for executives and team leads who need to make informed decisions about AI adoption, talent strategy, and organizational transformation.
Engaging, research-backed talks on AI democratization, the future of data science education, responsible AI, and breaking barriers in tech for underrepresented communities.
Hands-on data science consulting including predictive modeling, NLP, SHAP-based model interpretation, and end-to-end ML pipelines built in Python with production in mind.
I build courses designed for the learner who's brilliant but has been told AI "isn't for them." My teaching philosophy: meet people where they are, use real data, and build confidence through doing.
My courses are available on leading platforms and have helped learners from diverse backgrounds break into data science and AI — whether they're career-switchers, working professionals, or first-generation tech students.
The most powerful AI applications won't come from the same rooms, the same schools, or the same faces. Real innovation requires diverse minds at the table — and my mission is to pull up more chairs.
High standards and accessibility aren't opposites. The best data science education is both technically rigorous and genuinely inclusive — prerequisites be damned.
Every model has consequences. I build AI strategy and curriculum that treats fairness, transparency, and accountability as features — not afterthoughts.
A decade in epidemiological research means I don't take claims on faith — in AI or in learning design. Every recommendation I make is grounded in data and lived experience.
Whether you're looking to bring AI education to your organization, need a strategic thought partner, or want to talk about a speaking engagement — I'd love to hear from you.