Gilman Alumni Return to Discuss How AI is Shaping the Future

Gilman recently welcomed back two distinguished alumni, Timer Guler ‘14 and Luis Queral ‘09, for an engaging assembly about how artificial intelligence is shaping the modern world. Both speakers have taken different paths in technology and design, yet their work shares a common theme: using AI to make human experiences smarter, more creative, and more personal. 

Mr. Guler, now a Machine Learning Engineer at Spotify, designs the systems that power the platform’s music and podcast recommendations. Yet, his path to tech wasn’t a straight line. In high school, he was more interested in the humanities than science or engineering. That changed after taking a class with Dr. James Kraft who, Guler said, helped him see math as a way of thinking, not just solving formulas. After college and a few years consulting, Guler discovered data science and earned a master’s degree in the field. He later worked at The Washington Post, where he helped modernize its recommendation algorithms before joining Spotify. At Spotify, his focus is on building systems that serve users fairly and effectively. Guler encouraged students to approach AI as a skill-building tool rather than a shortcut. He cautioned that relying on it too heavily can prevent genuine learning, but affirmed that thoughtful use can spark creativity and deeper understanding. Above all, he emphasized adaptability, understanding the principles behind AI will matter more than memorizing the latest tools or trends. 

Luis Queral, the Lead Product Designer at The New York Times, offered a creative perspective on the same theme. At Gilman, he was known for his playful side projects, including a blog called Happy Food, where he posted photos of smiling fruits and vegetables. That early mix of art and technology led him to create his own interdisciplinary major at UMBC, combining art history, computer science, and literature to study how storytelling shapes design. Before joining The Times, Queral worked on large-scale digital projects, including the signage system for the New York subway. Today, he leads design initiatives that use generative AI tools to support journalists and creative teams. He described AI as a way to expand imagination, not replace it, and encouraged students to stay curious, experiment, and focus on meaningful work. 

In the end, both speakers left students with a reassuring thought: while AI continues to evolve rapidly, it still relies on human imagination and creativity. From Guler’s work shaping the algorithms behind Spotify’s music recommendations to Queral’s design projects at The New York Times, both alumni have shown that creativity and curiosity are what bring technology to life. They encouraged students not to see AI as a replacement for human effort, but as a partner in innovation. As the audience left the assembly, it was clear that the conversation wasn’t just about the future of AI, but about the role of what each person could play in it.