Chinasa Okolo and Kauna Malgwi have been named among Time's 2024 100 most influential people in artificial intelligence. Okolo, a Nigerian-American scientist, is recognized for her efforts in AI advocacy, while Malgwi leads in content moderation. Their contributions aim to shape the future of AI in Nigeria and beyond.
Nigerian-American computer scientist Chinasa Okolo and Kauna Malgwi, chairperson of the Nigeria chapter of the Content Moderators Union, have been named among Time magazine's 2024 list of the 100 most influential people in artificial intelligence (AI).
Okolo, a fellow at the Brookings Institution, was recognized in the “Thinkers” category for her advocacy in ensuring that communities in the Global South are not left behind as AI technologies advance. Her efforts include contributing to international scientific reports on AI safety and developing strategies for responsible AI adoption in Nigeria and the African Union. Okolo emphasizes the potential benefits of AI for Africa, including disaster detection and crop disease monitoring, while also addressing the risks of biased systems and digital exploitation.
Meanwhile, Malgwi was honored in the “Shapers” category for her leadership in content moderation and her previous experience with AI data annotation at Sama. Her work aims to influence the responsible development and application of AI technologies.
Both women join an esteemed group of honorees that includes notable figures like Sam Altman and Sundar Pichai. Time's recognition of these influential individuals aims to foster a broader dialogue about the future of AI and its implications for society.
