Hassan AkmalAlso teaches Career and Life Design at:
ColumbiaHassan Akmal
Master in Business Administration, Keller Graduate School of Management
Master in Public Health, Columbia University
Bachelor of Arts in History, Minor in Arabic, University of California, Los Angeles
Hassan Akmal is an American futurist, professor, author, senior talent strategist, philanthropist, and former professional tennis player who served as an athlete ambassador to the United States. He is the author and visionary behind the top-rated and widely acclaimed book, Redesigning Your Life: The AI Mosaic of Career & Life Design—a groundbreaking work exploring the intersection of superintelligence and human potential.
A trailblazer in career and life design, Akmal has over 30 years of experience in higher education and 20 years in senior leadership roles and as a professor of courses ranging from critical thinking and problem solving, career strategies, applied analytics, and global health. He served as the inaugural Executive Director of Industry Relations and Career Strategies at Columbia University, where he founded the award-winning Career Design Lab in Times Square. He later led transformative initiatives at both UCLA and UC San Diego, reimagining career services and advancing a new paradigm rooted in purpose, identity alignment, and forward-thinking innovation.
As the Founder, CEO, and Chief Architect of Superintelligence at Career and Life Design AI in the Bay Area, Akmal leads the development of intelligent systems that simulate future self-alignment and guide users through complex life and career transitions. His work integrates AI, design thinking, and behavioral science to help people and institutions thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
A TEDx speaker (The Power to Design a Life You Love, 1.7M+ views), Akmal's influence extends globally. He continues to serve on international boards and is actively engaged in the cutting-edge tech startup landscape, including the Google for Startups Cloud Program, contributing to a next-gen AI startup landscape. Currently pursuing graduate studies in Artificial Intelligence at Harvard, Akmal's thought leadership appears in Inside Higher Ed, National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), and numerous global innovative platforms and spaces.
That I was once a professional tennis player and served as an athlete ambassador to the United States. While at UCLA, we won the PAC-10 Championships, National Indoor Championships, and lost in the finals of the NCAA Championships - one point away of winning against the University of Georgia in 1999. The discipline I learned on the court continues to shape my mindset, how I design my life—and how I help others design theirs.
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. It's a powerful reminder that success is never just about talent—it's about context, resilience, and often, the opportunities we create for ourselves and others. It aligns deeply with how I approach career and life design.
Solo hikes—especially in redwood forests. Practicing Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) helps me clear my mind, find stillness, and listen for what's next.
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