Davar Ardalan

Davar Ardalan specializes in integrating artificial intelligence with storytelling to create innovative, culturally informed solutions. In 2025, she was a finalist in two categories of the Booz Allen Gen AI Academy Awards for her innovative work in generative AI and storytelling.A former National Geographic and NPR media leader, Ardalan is also the co-author of AI and Community (Taylor & Francis, 2025). Currently serving as an AI Strategist Senior at Booz Allen, she specializes in advancing generative AI solutions within the civil sector.Her work focuses on leveraging AI-driven innovation to enhance storytelling and explore solutions that resonate with communities from Australia to the Americas and from Tonga to Timor-Leste, ensuring technology fosters and empowers human flourishing on a global scale. She has also led pioneering research in this space as the former CEO of TulipAI and founder of IVOW AI.Throughout her career, Ardalan has led teams, orchestrated broadcasts across continents, and nurtured generations of journalists, underscoring her commitment to global collaboration and culturally rich storytelling.Ardalan's groundbreaking work has been recognized in The New York Times and through numerous accolades, including several Signal Awards, a Webby, a NASA team leadership award, and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

Watch her AI historical readings on Vimeo. Check out Davar on Spotify, Medium, and LinkedIn. Fun fact: she has also been featured in Zippy the Pinhead.

Working with Davar?

Davar's contributions have made a significant impact on National Geographic. She has helped expand the reach of our content across our parent company, The Walt Disney Company, and our non-profit partners at the National Geographic Society. Her efforts with “Into the Depths” resulted in National Geographic Magazine featuring the first Black woman Explorer on its cover in its 134-year history.-- Michael Tribble, VP Multi-Platform Content National Geographic 2023

Few humans are as far ahead of the tech community as Davar Ardalan in understanding and making accessible the criticality and value of pairing story, memory, culture, diversity with data/ai projects.

-- Carrie Jaquith, Global Head of Product Abaxx Technologies

“I had the pleasure of collaborating with Davar on a pilot spatial audio series, where she oversaw the use of ambisonic microphones in the field. I took one of these microphones to the Ecuadorian Amazon, and Davar's expertise and guidance were invaluable. Her deep understanding of spatial audio's potential elevated the final production, creating an immersive and resonant narrative.”

-- Kiliii Yuyan, National Geographic Explorer