I am writing this column the morning after the She Shapes AI Awards ceremony, still feeling the weight of the conversations, the shared aspirations, and the collective determination in the room. Winning the AI & Learning award is an honor, but more than that, it is a privilege to stand alongside five extraordinary women who are proving that artificial intelligence (AI) can be a force for good—if we build it with intention, responsibility, and inclusivity.
A celebration of visionaries
As I sat in the room at University College London, I listened to the stories of women who are reshaping AI—not just in research labs or corporate boardrooms, but in the real world, where technology intersects with democracy, human rights, sustainability, and access to information.
Alicia Combaz, the AI & Democracy winner, has empowered over 10 million citizens worldwide through Make.org and her AI platform Panoramic.AI, ensuring public voices shape policies in gender equality, environmental action, and governance. In an era of declining trust in institutions, she is showing that AI can strengthen democratic participation rather than erode it.
Branka Panic, the AI & Peace winner, founded AI for Peace to bring cutting-edge AI solutions to conflict zones. Her work in hate speech detection, early warning systems, and human rights investigations highlights a crucial reality: AI is not just about automation—it is about protecting lives and promoting peace in regions that need it most.
Diana Gutierrez, the AI & Nature winner, is leading the charge for sustainable AI through Optim.ai. Her GreenIMPACT Calculator provides a measurable way to reduce AI’s environmental footprint, tackling a challenge that often goes unaddressed: the massive energy consumption behind AI models. Her work is a blueprint for responsible AI development, reminding us that progress must not come at the cost of our planet.
Jenny Romano, the AI & Media winner, is transforming journalism through The Newsroom, an AI-powered tool that helps journalists verify, map, and trace information across thousands of sources. With the rise of misinformation, she is ensuring that AI serves as a guardian of truth rather than a vehicle for manipulation.
Dr. Elizabeth Adams, the AI & Thought Leadership winner, is at the forefront of responsible AI advocacy. Through EMA Advisory Services, she has influenced policy, corporate AI governance, and digital ethics on a global scale. From helping shape Minneapolis’ ban on facial recognition technology to training thousands on AI ethics, her work is a roadmap for ensuring AI aligns with societal values.
A movement led by women
At the heart of She Shapes AI is its founder, Dr. Julia Stamm — a visionary who understands that if AI is to work for everyone, it must be shaped by many, not a privileged few. Under her leadership, this platform is doing something rare in the AI world: amplifying the voices of women who are building AI for impact, ethics, and justice.
In her words: “We are at a critical tipping point. By celebrating women who propel the field forward, we show what is possible when AI aligns with societal values — and that business success and doing good are not mutually exclusive.”
A call to action
Winning the AI & Learning award is more than just recognition — it is a reminder of the work still ahead. Through NightOwlGPT, my mission has always been to preserve endangered languages, empower marginalized communities, and bridge the digital divide. But this award is not just about what has been accomplished — it is about what comes next. AI must not only be accessible but also culturally inclusive, ensuring that every language and every community has a voice in the digital future.
The women I met last night are proof that AI is not just about algorithms — it is about people. It is about using technology to uplift, to protect, and to empower. We are shaping AI today so that it works for everyone tomorrow. And as long as there are voices still unheard, communities still underserved, and biases still unchallenged, our work is far from over.