Rita Faia Marques

关于

As an AI Designer in Microsoft’s Equitable AI Area of Excellence, I lead work at the intersection of design and development, grounded in participatory practices to shape inclusive and responsible AI experiences.

I’m part of the Taix team (opens in new tab), where I explore how meaningful participation in generative AI models can foster safer and more inclusive user experiences. My previous work at Microsoft includes co-designing AI features (opens in new tab) with the blind community for the Seeing AI app—an effort that earned a patent and a Fast Company Award nomination. In 2019, I also designed Microsoft’s first business training on Responsible AI, collaborating with senior leaders to embed ethical practices across the company.

During my time at Nesta Collective Intelligence Team (opens in new tab), I led the design of an AI platform with the Met Office (opens in new tab) to inform climate adaptation strategies across the UK; delivered a 12-month ‘Design Studio’ programme on Collective Intelligence to support and mentor 15 UNDP (opens in new tab)  teams tackling climate change in the Global South; and designed an online learning experience for humanitarian organisations, such as the Red Cross and USAID, to support the ethical use of AI in crisis contexts.

Beyond industry, my work extends into education through my role as a visiting lecturer and project co-lead at the Glasgow School of Art, where I mentored Master’s students in participatory design and AI systems.

A Design education across Porto, Milan, Cologne, and Glasgow has shaped a multidisciplinary foundation in product, service, and design research. I hold  a Master of European Design from the Glasgow School of Art.