Join us in celebrating Naomi Kilungu she's in the AI Spotlight.
Her journey began with a deep dive into the role of AI in global conflicts during her master's research, which eventually led her to pursue a PhD focusing on the intersection of AI and conflict. This passion has driven her to explore how AI can be a catalyst for peace, particularly in Africa, where the continent's narrative in the AI space is ripe for transformation.
Naomi's work is part of a broader movement that seeks to harness AI for social good. Through her organization, AI for Peace Africa, she is dedicated to research, capacity building, and developing models that promote peace. Let's learn more about AI from Naomi.
Let's learn more about AI from Naomi:
Share your AI origin story
My journey with AI began six years ago during my master's research. As I delved into the complexities of global conflicts, I realized the profound role AI plays in shaping warfare, humanitarian efforts, and peacebuilding. This revelation was a pivotal moment for me—it sparked a passion to explore how AI could be harnessed not just as a tool of warfare, but as a catalyst for peace.
This passion led me to pursue a PhD, where I now focus on the intersection of AI and conflict. My research aims to uncover how AI can be leveraged to address some of the world's most protracted crises, particularly in Africa. It became clear to me that Africa's narrative in the AI space needed to shift. With only 20% of African data being utilized in global AI development, the continent risks becoming a testing ground rather than an active participant in shaping AI's future.
Driven by this realization, I founded AI for Peace Africa. Our organization is dedicated to research, capacity building, and developing models that promote peace. We aim to awaken Africa to the potential of AI, ensuring that the continent is not just a consumer of AI technologies but a leader in creating solutions tailored to its unique challenges. Africa faces some of the world's most enduring conflicts, displacement crises, and economic struggles. My goal is to empower the continent to harness AI as a tool for solving these crises, changing the narrative from one of vulnerability to one of innovation and resilience.
Through AI for Peace Africa, I am committed to a future where Africa is at the forefront of AI-driven peacebuilding, ensuring that our data, perspectives, and solutions are integral to the global AI landscape.
What AI tools have been most game changing for you? Â
If you were just starting your AI journey today where would you start?
I would do AI as my first degree.
Share the spotlight: Name 3+ women leading in AI we should all follow.
As a woman in AI, what do you want our allies to know?
I am for inclusive peace. Africa’s rich cultural, linguistic, and social diversity offers unique insights that can lead to more innovative and context-aware AI solutions. Women, in particular, bring perspectives that are often overlooked but are critical for creating AI that serves everyone. Therefore, women in AI of Africa are important in shaping global conversations around AI.
Special Series: Women's History Month
Can you share an example of how AI can be used to address gender-specific challenges or inequalities?
AI can play a remodelling role in addressing gender-specific challenges in conflict zones. For example, in regions affected by war, women and girls often face heightened risks of gender-based violence and displacement. AI-powered tools can analyze conflict patterns to predict areas of risk, enabling humanitarian organizations to deploy resources more effectively to protect vulnerable populations. Additionally, AI can be used to create secure communication platforms for women in conflict zones, allowing them to report abuses, access support services, and connect with peacebuilding initiatives. By employing AI, we can ensure that women’s safety and voices are prioritized in conflict resolution and recovery efforts.
How do you envision AI shaping the future of women's rights and opportunities?
AI can shape the future of women's rights and opportunities. Here are some examples:
1. Safe Communication: AI can create secure platforms for women to report abuse, access support services, and connect with legal aid.
2. Awareness Campaigns: AI can help design and target awareness campaigns to educate communities about women’s rights and the importance of gender equality.
3. Storytelling Platforms: AI can help women share their stories and experiences, amplifying their voices on a global scale. This can drive advocacy and policy change.
What strategies have you employed to overcome gender-related obstacles in your AI career?
1. Building a Strong Support Network.
2. Continuous Learning and Skill Development.
3. Writing and Publishing: Contributing articles, research papers, and blogs on AI and its. applications has allowed me to amplify my voice and reach a broader audience.
4. Self belief.
5. I like promoting diversity, I talk about inclusive AI all the time.
What advice would you give to young women aspiring to enter the field of AI? To other women navigating their AI careers, my advice is to be consistent, seek out support, and never underestimate the power of your unique perspective. Collaborate with others, seek out inclusive platforms. Field of AI needs diverse voices to drive innovation and create solutions that benefit everyone. By overcoming obstacles and advocating for inclusivity, we can pave the way for a more equitable and impactful future in AI.
How do you think AI can be leveraged to celebrate and preserve women's history?
There is a great opportunity to use AI to archive women history and to amplify what they do through AI.
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