Chinasa T. Okolo, a rising star in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), is making waves with her groundbreaking research on AI’s impact on the Global South. As a fellow at the Brookings Institution, she is leading the charge in advocating for responsible AI adoption and governance.
Okolo’s journey into AI began with a passion for using computational techniques to advance healthcare for marginalized communities. Her research at Cornell University focused on understanding how AI biases affect people in the Global South, who are often underrepresented in AI development.
One of her most notable achievements is her work with the African Union on the AU-AI Continental Strategy for Africa. This groundbreaking strategy aims to help African nations prepare for the responsible adoption and governance of AI, a crucial step in ensuring that AI benefits all members of society.
Despite facing challenges in the male-dominated tech industry, Okolo finds strength in community and looks up to pioneering Black women scholars in the field. She encourages women interested in AI to pursue their passion regardless of their technical background, emphasizing the multi-dimensional nature of AI that requires expertise from various domains.
As AI continues to evolve, Okolo highlights the pressing need for equitable representation of non-Western cultures in AI models and the importance of addressing environmental impacts from building larger models. She also calls for greater AI literacy among users to ensure responsible adoption and usage of AI tools.
In advocating for responsible AI development, Okolo stresses the need to critically assess the intended and unintended use cases of AI tools and to build datasets that mitigate existing social inequalities. Investors, she suggests, should push for responsible AI by vetting companies and advocating for external audits of AI tools.
In conclusion, Okolo’s work exemplifies the power of AI to create positive change when wielded responsibly. As the AI revolution continues, her research sheds light on the importance of ethical AI governance and the need for diverse voices in shaping the future of AI.
