Dr. Chinasa T. Okolo is recognized as one of the most influential women in artificial intelligence today. Named among the 100 Most Influential Women in Tech and AI by *Times New York*, Dr. Okolo is making significant strides in both AI research and policy. Born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, by Nigerian immigrants, she has emerged as a leading voice in her field. Currently, she is a Fellow at the Center for Technology Innovation within the Governance Studies program at The Brookings Institution and a recent Ph.D. graduate in Computer Science from Cornell University.
Dr. Okolo’s research focuses on key areas of AI governance, especially in emerging markets. Her work spans AI literacy upskilling, human-centered approaches to AI explainability, the future of data work, and leveraging AI to enhance global health outcomes. At Cornell, her dissertation employed ethnographic methods to understand how frontline healthcare workers in rural India perceive and value AI technologies. She also explored how AI-enabled technologies can be deployed effectively across the Global South, with a specific focus on healthcare.
In addition to her dissertation, Dr. Okolo has conducted research on AI adoption in Africa, the spread of COVID-19 misinformation on social networks within African communities, and the impact of generative AI on the continent. Her work has gained widespread recognition and has been featured in *VICE*, *Bloomberg*, *Newsweek*, and *VentureBeat*. She has also received funding and support from prominent organizations, including The National GEM Consortium, Oracle Corporation, the North American Network Operators’ Group (NANOG), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and Google.
Dr. Okolo’s academic journey is marked by excellence. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Pomona College, as well as a Master’s and Ph.D. in Computer Science from Cornell University. Her contributions extend beyond academia to include active roles in policy and ethical AI. She is a Consulting Expert with the African Union, helping to shape the AU-AI Continental Strategy for Africa, and an Ethics Advisor to the Equiano Institute, a research lab dedicated to promoting safe and trustworthy AI in Africa. Additionally, she is involved in the IEEE Standards Association working group on algorithmic bias and is a member of the ACM US Technology Policy Council.
Dr. Okolo’s recognition as one of the most influential women in AI underscores her groundbreaking work and commitment to advancing the field, particularly in regions that are often underrepresented in tech conversations. Her achievements are paving the way for the next generation of AI leaders.
Let’s honor Dr. Chinasa T. Okolo for her exceptional contributions to artificial intelligence.
 Held in Ottawa, Canada){kind=link}
: Mastermind of Timeless Mercedes Benz Elegance){kind=link}
