Authors: Dr. Phillip Olla

Summary

Building on the REI-funded initiative Future-Proofing Detroit: Bringing AI Upskilling to the Neighborhoods, this student-led, faculty-guided Train-the-Trainer (T3) project will expand AI literacy efforts in partnership with the Mama Akua Community House in Detroit’s Zone 8 neighborhood. The project will prepare a cohort of up to 10 grassroots trainers, including students, residents, and local agency staff, to independently deliver AI micro-workshops within their communities. Using the “Learn it, See it, Do it” (LSD) model, participants will receive hands-on instruction, guided practice, and real-time feedback. This scalable, community-embedded approach promotes digital equity, workforce readiness, and entrepreneurial innovation among Detroit’s ALICE populations, supporting long-term economic adaptation through sustainable, localized delivery.

Author Information

Dr. Phillip Olla, an associate professor at University of Detroit Mercy and CEO of Audacia Bioscience, possesses a remarkable track record in both academia and industry. With extensive experience in leadership and project management, Dr. Olla has established himself as a sought-after global speaker. He has authored seven books and more than 60 scholarly publications, showcasing his profound expertise in healthcare innovation, artificial and medical informatics.

With a Ph.D. in Management Information Systems (MIS) from Brunel University, United Kingdom, Dr. Olla combines academic prowess with more than 20 years of experience across various sectors. His contributions within the digital health arena have been acknowledged internationally, exemplified by his invitation to speak at a United Nations Summit in 2010. Notably, his professional journey includes collaborations with industry giants like Oracle, O2, IBM, Roche Diagnostics, Morgan Stanley and British Telecom.

Dr. Olla's contributions to breathonomics are particularly noteworthy. His published research in this domain has established him as a leader in understanding the complex interplay of breath components and their potential applications in medical diagnostics. His dedication to multi-modal breath analysis research reinforces his role as a trailblazer in merging technology and healthcare.

Overall, Dr. Olla's expertise in multi-modal breath analysis, coupled with his remarkable accomplishments in academia and industry, positions him as a driving force in advancing medical research and healthcare innovation.