Nigerian-American Computer Scientist Chinasa Okolo Named Among Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in AI

Chinasa Okolo, a Nigerian-American computer scientist, has been recognized by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in artificial intelligence (AI). The prestigious list, which highlights individuals shaping the future of AI, was revealed in a video released on Time’s website on Thursday.

Okolo, a Brookings Institution fellow, has made significant contributions to global AI policy, including the International Scientific Report on the Safety of Advanced AI, led by renowned researcher Yoshua Bengio. She also played a key role in shaping the African Union’s strategy for responsible AI adoption and Nigeria’s national AI strategy.

Time noted that Okolo’s work is crucial in raising awareness about how AI can benefit African countries, from detecting floods and crop diseases to addressing challenges like digitally-enabled harassment on microlending platforms.

In an interview with Time, Okolo shared her optimism about AI’s potential to drive socioeconomic development in Africa, which has long been overdue. However, she also expressed concern about the risks, cautioning that intense global competition in AI could undermine the autonomy of African nations and perpetuate neo-colonial practices.