Taylor Bledsoe’s journey began in Doha, Qatar, where Taylor was born while the family was living abroad for work. At just 17 years old, Taylor has already cultivated an impressive array of interests and accomplishments. Her unique educational path as a homeschooled student has allowed Taylor to explore a variety of disciplines, leading to achievements in sports, robotics, podcasting, and academic research. 

Throughout high school, Taylor played varsity soccer, contributed as a programmer for a FIRST Tech Challenge robotics team, and founded a podcast called Aiming for the Moon, where fascinating guests are interviewed from a teenage perspective. One of the highlights of Taylor’s high school experience was working as a research assistant at Harvard’s metaLAB for a former podcast guest. This opportunity led to the exciting experience of presenting a project at Harvard Law School in Boston.

After graduation, Taylor plans to attend the University of Tulsa on a full-ride National Merit scholarship, where the next chapter of academic pursuits will begin. She plans on a dual major in Computer Science and “Humane Letters”, the university’s classical, honors college major. 

Taylor is particularly excited about student research opportunities at TU, with hopes of exploring the technical aspects of AI alongside its ethical and philosophical implications. This interdisciplinary approach aligns perfectly with Taylor’s long-term goal to attend graduate school and conduct research in natural language processing, bridging the gap between classical thought and modern AI ethics.

Beyond technology and research, Taylor has a deep love for books. Some favorites include Dostoevsky’s Brothers Karamazov, Boethius’ Consolation of Philosophy, and Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Honorable mentions go to Les Miserables and The Library: A Fragile History, a testament to Taylor’s wide-ranging interests in classic literature, philosophy, and history.

Taylor’s relentless curiosity, academic drive, and enthusiasm for meaningful conversations make for an exciting future. Whether conducting AI research, exploring classical thought, or engaging with experts through podcasting, Taylor is sure to leave a lasting impact. With a passion for both technology and the human experience, Taylor represents a new generation of thinkers who seek to bridge innovation and ethics in meaningful ways.