Christina Cooper
Christina Cooper is a leading voice in AI security and transformation, recognized as the Chief AI Security & Transformation Officer and #1 Amazon Bestselling Author of Raising AI Right. With nearly two decades of experience spanning federal and private sector cybersecurity, Christina has dedicated her career to bridging the gap between AI's rapid evolution and human readiness. She is the creator of the T.R.U.S.T. Framework™ for AI safety and the founder of Quantum Flex Solutions, where she helps families, educators, and enterprises navigate AI responsibly and safely. Through her international speaking engagements, consulting, and publications, Christina empowers clients to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Christina’s work is grounded in the principle that protection without education is temporary. She has trained workforces through the QFS AI Training Academy™, offering 50+ globally recognized AI certifications, and advises school districts, higher education institutions, and enterprises on AI governance, risk management, and literacy. Her book, Raising AI Right, provides a blueprint for AI safety at home, in classrooms, and across workplaces, earning praise for its practical insights and becoming a #1 bestseller shortly after release. Christina’s approach emphasizes ethical human oversight, critical thinking, and actionable strategies to safely integrate AI into everyday life.
Outside of her professional achievements, Christina is passionate about shaping the next generation’s understanding of technology. She engages directly with students, parents, and leaders to highlight the ethical, practical, and social implications of AI, encouraging proactive dialogue rather than reactive responses. Her dedication to mentorship, education, and innovation reflects a deep commitment to building a humane digital world, ensuring that individuals and organizations alike can navigate the AI era with confidence, clarity, and integrity.
• Certified Agentic AI Expert
• Certified Prompt Engineer
• Certified AI Consultant
• Certified Generative AI Expert
• Certified Artificial Intelligence (AI) Expert
• Certified Ethical Hacker
• Security+
• University of Maryland Global Campus- M.S.
• Ursinus College- Bachelor's
• Villanova University
• Georgetown Law
• Cyber Shield Award for Outstanding Excellence and Invaluable Contribution
• Featured as STEM Trailblazer in Stem Crew Magazine
• Bestselling Author
• Information Systems Security Association
• Trustee Professional Program
• American Heart Association
• City Year
• Urban League of Philadelphia
• Information Systems Security Association
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the discipline and work ethic I developed as an athlete. I've been an athlete, I've coached, and I've worked in sports in my younger years. That discipline and work ethic is how I'm where I'm at right now. You learn how to be an individual contributor and how to be a team player, but it all boils down to your discipline. I still wake up at 4:30 every morning to work out because that mindset is huge. We can all have bad days, but what matters is how you're going to get through it. You don't win if you don't try, and if you don't fail, you don't know if you're gonna win. My daughter is also my why - she's my motivation for going so hard and doing everything I do.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the AI and cybersecurity industry is to become truly literate in AI—not just the tools—stay curious and develop role-specific skills while learning to evaluate and implement AI responsibly. Cultivate discipline and embrace a mindset of continuous learning to thrive in this rapidly evolving field.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge right now is that AI is moving so fast and taking over, as one of my mentors says. We have to be prepared and better understand how to evaluate tools before we implement them, because right now everything is implement, implement, implement, and nobody's thinking about the risk that comes with all of that. Technology is advancing so much, but we're not preparing our kids or teachers in the proper ways. Teachers aren't being prepared to properly lead our kids at this point - they need more education in AI. The opportunity is that people are finally recognizing this need. At the conference I attended, decision makers in education from over 60 countries were asking how to get started, when they can begin, and whether I could create curriculum and materials for them. It's not about if we can do it, it needs to happen. It's the same as asking when a breach is going to happen - it's not if, it's when. People are letting go of those who don't know AI. It's not AI that's taking your place, it's the people that don't want to know how to use it. You need to know how to use it, or at least understand it so you can speak to it.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important value to me is impact. It's always about impact for me. If I don't necessarily agree with someone's mission, it's probably not for me. I probably won't do it because all money isn't good money, as they say. Everything I'm trying to do starts from home, then goes to the schools, because we need to prepare our kids and teachers properly. I also value discipline and mindset - we can all have bad days, but what matters is how you're going to get through it. My mantra captures what I value most: build brilliantly, protect fiercely, lead unapologetically, and never dim your light. I'm really living in that now, being unapologetic and fierce about what I do. I've been behind the scenes for a long time, but I have so much that I can help people with, so why should only the folks that can afford it be the only people that can do it? Health and wellness are also important to me - fitness is my other jam, and I still make time to work out and run.