Richard Culatta is an internationally recognized innovator and learning designer. His work centers around using Artificial Intelligence to empower people and accelerate problem solving. As the CEO of ISTE+ASCD, Culatta is focused on preparing education changemakers to create amazing learning experiences for all students around the world. Prior to joining ISTE+ASCD, Culatta served as the first Chief Innovation Officer for his home state of Rhode Island, where he gained national attention for pioneering strategies for using technology to help the government be more responsive and collaborative.
Culatta was appointed by President Obama as the Executive Director of the Office of Educational Technology for the US Department of Education. In that capacity, he focused on expanding internet connectivity to schools across the US and developed a national edtech plan to make learning more equitable and engaging. He also pioneered new opportunities for the tech industry to engage with the Department of Education, including bringing top game designers from around the world to the White House to help re-design testing and learning materials.
Culatta’s new book, Digital for Good: Raising Kids to Thrive in an Online World (Harvard Business Publishing), uncovers the challenges with our current approaches to preparing young people to be effective humans in virtual spaces and presents a path to a healthier and more civil future digital world. Culatta holds degrees in humanities and instructional technology from Brigham Young University.
