Professor Ahmed Banafa is a globally renowned thought leader and authority in the fields of Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence (AI). With a distinguished career spanning research, operations, and management, Prof. Banafa has made significant contributions to advancing these transformative technologies. His expertise and visionary insights have garnered widespread recognition, including and LinkedIn named him the No. 1 tech voice to follow in 2018, a testament to his predictive insights and influential voice within the tech community. Prof. Banafa's research has been featured in esteemed publications such as Nature, Forbes, IEEE, and the MIT Technology Review, further solidifying his reputation as a leading expert in his field. His thought leadership has also been sought after by major media outlets, including ABC, CBS, NBC, Bloomberg, BBC, NPR, NHK, and FOX, where he has provided insightful commentary and analysis. Prof. Banafa is an accomplished author, known for his impactful and influential books. His critically acclaimed work, Secure and Smart Internet of Things (IoT) using Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence (AI), earned him the San Jose State University Author and Artist Award and recognition as one of the Best Technology Books of All Time and Best AI Models Books of All Time. His book on Blockchain Technology and Applications has also received widespread acclaim and has been integrated into the curricula of prestigious institutions such as Stanford University. Furthermore, Prof. Banafa has made significant contributions to the field of Quantum Computing through his third book, and his fourth book explains Transformative AI and its impact. Prof. Banafa's extensive educational background includes studies in Cybersecurity at Harvard University and Digital Transformation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He holds a Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering and a PhD in Artificial Intelligence, further underscoring his expertise in these cutting-edge fields.