Imagine if machines could help preserve something deeply human: our dignity.
Driven by a deep desire to preserve independence for those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia, Dr. Humayun Rashid is using artificial intelligence and robotics to reimagine what compassionate care can look like—not just for patients, but also for the caregivers who support them every day. His work is about designing systems that ease emotional and physical burdens while enhancing quality of life for everyone involved.
That vision found its spark at Weatherhead School of Management. After earning his EMBA from the University of California, Irvine, Rashid pursued a Doctor of Management at the Weatherhead School in 2008, an experience that transformed not only how he thought, but also why he leads.
“Earning my doctorate gave me the creative confidence to break the mold—to think radically, challenge traditional models and reframe complex problems in entirely new ways,” said Rashid. “Applying creativity and design thinking to leadership and strategy completely changed how I see my role as a leader.”
That disruptive mindset—rooted in radical thinking and bold leadership—is what drives Rashid’s approach to healthcare innovation. With over 30 years at the helm of tech and business, he’s not just playing in the future—he’s building it. As founder and CEO of Xavor Corporation and NaviGAIT, Rashid is on a mission to shake up elder care. His focus? Creating AI-powered solutions that do more than monitor— ensure person-centered care, preserve independence, and challenge how we think about aging.
At the center of that mission is Ruyi, a sleek, three-foot-tall social robot that’s currently being put to the test at ϳԹ. Don’t be fooled by its size—this is high-tech with heart. Ruyi is packed with AI muscle: it tracks mobility, responds to interaction, synchronizes with smart home systems, and learns as it goes. It’s not just care—it’s connection, delivered in real time, tailored to real lives.
“The biggest opportunity,” Rashid says, “is giving caregivers a tool that helps patients remain at home for as long as possible.”
The one-year pilot study is backed by the National Institutes of Health and administered through the AI & Technology Collaboratory (AITC) for Aging Research at Johns Hopkins University. It’s part of a nationwide push to create next-generation solutions that help older adults stay independent, even as conditions like Alzheimer’s try to strip that away.
With NaviGAIT’s collaboration with ϳԹ and AITC, Rashid isn’t just proving what’s possible—he’s rewriting the playbook on elder care.
What started at Weatherhead as a bold academic pursuit has exploded into a real-world movement—one that fuses research, design thinking, and empathy. And if Rashid has anything to say about it, this is only the beginning.
“The real opportunity isn’t just in caring for patients—it’s in supporting the people who care for them. If we can give caregivers a reliable, intelligent tool that helps loved ones stay independent at home longer, that’s a game changer,” he said. “This is where AI and robotics really matter—when the technology works seamlessly, it becomes a private care companion, not just a machine.”