Born: 1983 (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)
Biography:
Timnit Gebru (Amharic: ትምኒት ገብሩ; Tigrinya: ትምኒት ገብሩ) is an Eritrean Ethiopian-born computer scientist who has made significant contributions to the field of artificial intelligence (AI). She is well-known for her work on algorithmic bias and data mining, as well as her advocacy for diversity in technology. Gebru’s career has been marked by groundbreaking research, impactful projects, and her role in the advancement of women in STEM fields.
Gebru was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on May 13, 1983. Her father, an electrical engineer with a PhD, passed away when she was only five years old, leaving her to be raised by her mother, an economist. Both of her parents hail from Eritrea.
At the age of 15, during the Eritrean–Ethiopian War, Gebru had to flee Ethiopia when some of her family members were deported to Eritrea and forced to join the war effort. Initially denied a U.S. visa, she sought refuge in Ireland before eventually obtaining political asylum in the United States. Gebru describes this period as miserable, but it shaped her resilience and determination to make a difference in the world.
Gebru settled in Somerville, Massachusetts, where she attended high school. However, her educational journey was not without obstacles. Despite being a high-achiever, she faced racial discrimination, with certain teachers refusing to allow her to take advanced placement courses. These experiences further fueled her passion for combating systemic racism and promoting diversity and inclusivity in technology.
A pivotal moment in Gebru’s life occurred during her time at Stanford University, where she pursued her undergraduate and graduate studies. Witnessing an incident of systemic racism when her Black friend was arrested instead of the assailant she reported to the police, Gebru became even more determined to address ethical concerns in technology. She realized that AI and other technologies could perpetuate societal biases if not developed with proper consideration of their impact.
Gebru’s brilliance and dedication to her studies led her to earn both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering from Stanford. She continued her educational journey there, receiving her PhD in computer vision in 2017 under the guidance of Fei-Fei Li, a renowned expert in the field.
Throughout her career, Gebru has made remarkable contributions to AI research and technology ethics. She has extensively studied algorithmic bias and the ethical implications of AI systems, particularly in areas like facial recognition. Her work highlights the potential dangers and societal impact of biased algorithms and calls for more inclusive and fair approaches to AI development.
In addition to her research, Gebru has been an influential advocate for diversity in technology. She co-founded Black in AI, a community that aims to increase the presence of Black researchers in the field of AI. Gebru has consistently worked towards dismantling barriers and promoting opportunities for underrepresented groups in tech.
However, Gebru’s path has not been without challenges. In December 2020, she found herself at the center of a public controversy surrounding her departure from Google. As the technical co-lead of the Ethical Artificial Intelligence Team, she clashed with higher management when asked to withdraw an unpublished paper or remove the names of Google coauthors. Gebru objected to these requests, seeking transparency and warning of the consequences of non-compliance. Ultimately, Google terminated her employment, stating they were accepting her resignation.
Gebru’s expertise and contributions have not gone unnoticed. She has received widespread recognition for her groundbreaking work. In 2021, she was named one of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders by Fortune and one of Nature’s ten people who shaped science. In 2022, she was honored as one of Time’s most influential people.
Through her research, advocacy, and resilience, Timnit Gebru continues to make a lasting impact on the field of AI and technology. Her dedication to tackling algorithmic bias, promoting diversity, and increasing ethical considerations in technology has solidified her place as a pioneering figure in the advancement of women in STEM and the fight against systemic biases.
Awards:
– World’s 50 Greatest Leaders by Fortune
– Nature’s Ten People Who Shaped Science
– Time’s Most Influential People