Will Zhao

W. G. Will Zhao is a Visiting Professor at the Institute for Management and Innovation, University of Toronto, and Associate Professor of Organization and Human Behavior at the Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business, University of Waterloo. His scholarship in Human-Centered Innovation explores how technological development, when informed by artistic sensibilities and ethical reflection, can advance human well-being. His multidisciplinary research spans three areas: 1) the organizational processes that generate and scale innovation, 2) the ethical and regulatory challenges of emerging technologies, and 3) the design of human-centered applications in AI and extended reality. Outside the classroom and his lab, Professor Zhao actively engages with industry and societal stakeholders, bridging research with practice through entrepreneurial initiatives, partnerships, and public engagement to drive meaningful impact.