1.Dr. Fei-Fei Li: AI Pioneer and Ethics Advocate
Dr. Fei-Fei Li is one of the most influential figures in artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision. Her groundbreaking work has significantly shaped AI’s development, making it more human-centered, ethical, and inclusive. As the co-director of the Stanford Human-Centered AI Institute, she has been instrumental in guiding AI policies and research towards responsible and beneficial applications. Her contributions span across multiple domains, including healthcare, security, and robotics, making AI more accessible and ethical for the broader society.
Early Life and Academic Journey
Born in China in 1976, Dr. Fei-Fei Li moved to the United States as a teenager. She pursued her undergraduate studies in physics at Princeton University before earning a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). Her strong foundation in physics and engineering provided her with the analytical skills necessary to advance AI research. Her early work focused on cognitive neuroscience and machine learning, leading to her pioneering research in computer vision.
Contributions to AI and Computer Vision
Dr. Li’s most notable contribution to AI is the creation of ImageNet, a vast dataset of labeled images that has played a pivotal role in advancing deep learning and computer vision. Launched in 2009, ImageNet enabled AI models to improve their accuracy in recognizing and classifying images. The annual ImageNet Challenge spurred significant breakthroughs in AI, leading to the development of modern deep learning models that power applications in facial recognition, medical imaging, autonomous vehicles, and more.
Her research in deep learning and visual recognition has led to the development of AI systems capable of understanding and interpreting complex visual data. These advancements have revolutionized industries such as healthcare, where AI is now used for diagnosing diseases, detecting anomalies in medical images, and improving patient care. In security and surveillance, her work has contributed to more efficient and accurate threat detection systems.
2.Kate Crawford (Australia) – AI Ethics and Policy Leader
Kate Crawford – AI Ethics and Policy Leader
Kate Crawford is a globally recognized expert in AI ethics, known for her extensive research on the societal implications of artificial intelligence. Her work focuses on the intersection of AI, labor rights, privacy, and environmental sustainability, making her a crucial voice in shaping AI policies.
As a senior researcher at Microsoft Research and a professor at USC Annenberg, Crawford has been at the forefront of advocating for transparent and accountable AI governance. She has consistently highlighted the risks of AI systems reinforcing biases, exacerbating inequality, and threatening personal privacy. In 2025, she continues to push for regulatory frameworks that ensure AI technologies serve humanity ethically and responsibly.
Her groundbreaking book, Atlas of AI, remains a key reference in the field, offering a critical examination of AI’s hidden costs, from resource extraction to data privacy concerns. Through her research and public engagements, Crawford has influenced global discussions on AI regulation, urging governments and corporations to prioritize ethical considerations in AI development.
By promoting interdisciplinary collaboration between technology experts, policymakers, and social scientists, Kate Crawford is playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of AI to be fair, transparent, and beneficial for all.
3.Gwynne Shotwell (United States) – President & COO, SpaceX
Gwynne Shotwell – Driving SpaceX’s Future in Space Exploration
Gwynne Shotwell, the President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of SpaceX, is a key figure in the modern space industry. Since joining SpaceX in 2002, she has played a vital role in transforming the company from an ambitious startup into a dominant force in the private space sector. Under her leadership, SpaceX has achieved groundbreaking advancements in spaceflight, including the development of reusable rockets, crewed missions, and deep-space exploration initiatives.
In 2025, Shotwell continues to oversee SpaceX’s ambitious projects, including Mars colonization, the expansion of Starlink’s global satellite internet service, and commercial space tourism. Her strategic vision and leadership have enabled SpaceX to maintain its strong partnership with NASA and other international space agencies, supporting missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
One of her key focuses remains the Starship program, which is central to future human space exploration. SpaceX’s vision of making life multi-planetary heavily depends on Starship’s success, and Shotwell has been instrumental in driving its progress. Additionally, the Starlink project continues to reshape global connectivity, providing internet access to remote and underserved regions.
Shotwell’s impact extends beyond technology—she is also an advocate for women in STEM, inspiring the next generation of engineers and leaders in aerospace. Her leadership and business acumen have cemented SpaceX’s position at the forefront of space innovation, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in space exploration.
4.Reshma Saujani (United States) – Founder, Girls Who Code
Reshma Saujani – Champion for Women in Tech
Reshma Saujani is a trailblazer in technology education and gender equality, best known as the founder of Girls Who Code, a nonprofit dedicated to closing the gender gap in technology. Since its inception in 2012, the organization has introduced millions of young girls to programming, inspiring them to pursue careers in STEM fields. Saujani’s work has had a transformative impact, empowering women to break into traditionally male-dominated industries like software development, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.
In 2025, she continues expanding her mission, focusing on increasing female representation in emerging tech fields, particularly AI and cybersecurity. Recognizing the growing influence of AI in all sectors, Saujani advocates for more women to be involved in shaping the technology of the future. Her initiatives emphasize not just technical skills but also leadership development, ensuring women have equal opportunities in the tech workforce.
Beyond Girls Who Code, Saujani is a vocal advocate for workplace equity and policies that support women in STEM. Her books and public speaking engagements highlight the importance of fostering an inclusive tech environment. Thanks to her efforts, there has been a significant rise in women pursuing STEM education and careers worldwide.
Through her relentless advocacy and innovative programs, Reshma Saujani is helping to build a more diverse and equitable future in technology, ensuring that the next generation of women has the tools and confidence to lead in the digital age
5.Dr. Rana el Kaliouby (Egypt) – CEO, Affectiva & AI Emotion Technology Expert
Dr. Rana el Kaliouby – Leading the Future of Emotion AI
Dr. Rana el Kaliouby is a pioneering figure in Affective Computing, a field dedicated to enabling artificial intelligence (AI) to recognize and respond to human emotions. As the CEO and co-founder of Affectiva, she has played a critical role in developing AI systems that can interpret facial expressions, vocal tones, and physiological signals to understand human emotions in real time. Her groundbreaking work has significantly influenced industries such as mental health, customer service, automotive safety, and education.
In 2025, Dr. el Kaliouby continues to push the boundaries of Emotion AI, ensuring that technology evolves to interact with humans in a more natural and intuitive way. One of her primary goals is to enhance AI’s ability to recognize subtle emotional cues, making interactions between humans and machines feel more authentic and empathetic. This technology is being widely adopted in sectors such as mental health, where AI-driven emotion recognition helps therapists monitor patients’ emotional states, and in customer service, where AI can improve user experience by detecting frustration or satisfaction.
Beyond technology, Dr. el Kaliouby is a strong advocate for ethical AI development. She emphasizes the need for responsible AI policies that prevent biases and ensure inclusivity in emotion recognition across different cultures and demographics. Through her leadership and research, she is shaping a future where AI not only processes data but also understands and responds to human emotions, bridging the gap between humans and machines in meaningful ways.
6.Adaire Fox-Martin (Ireland) – President, Google Cloud International
Adaire Fox-Martin – Driving Innovation in Google Cloud
Adaire Fox-Martin is a prominent leader in the global technology industry, currently serving as the President of Google Cloud International. With a career spanning decades in enterprise technology, she has been instrumental in expanding Google Cloud’s presence across key industries, including finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. Her leadership has positioned Google Cloud as a dominant force in AI-driven enterprise solutions, helping businesses leverage the power of cloud computing for efficiency and innovation.
In 2025, Fox-Martin continues to drive Google Cloud’s international strategy, focusing on AI-powered solutions that enhance business operations. Under her leadership, Google Cloud provides advanced machine learning and automation tools that enable companies to streamline processes, improve data security, and enhance decision-making. The cloud platform’s integration with AI has transformed industries like healthcare, where AI-driven diagnostics and predictive analytics are revolutionizing patient care, and finance, where AI models improve risk management and fraud detection.
Beyond technological advancements, Fox-Martin is also a strong advocate for digital transformation and sustainability. She actively promotes responsible AI adoption, ensuring ethical considerations are embedded into AI-powered cloud services. Her efforts in expanding Google Cloud’s global reach while prioritizing innovation, security, and ethical AI make her a key figure in shaping the future of enterprise technology. Through her leadership, Google Cloud continues to redefine how businesses harness AI and cloud computing for long-term success.
7.Safra Catz (United States) – CEO, Oracle
Safra Catz – Leading Oracle’s Cloud and AI Transformation
Safra Catz, the CEO of Oracle, is one of the most influential figures in enterprise software. Since taking the helm of Oracle, she has played a crucial role in driving the company’s evolution from a traditional database provider to a leader in cloud computing and AI-powered enterprise solutions. Under her leadership, Oracle has expanded its cloud offerings, making them more secure, scalable, and efficient for businesses worldwide.
In 2025, Catz continues to push Oracle’s transformation towards autonomous databases and AI-driven cloud solutions. Oracle’s autonomous database technology, which uses machine learning to self-manage, self-secure, and self-repair, is revolutionizing enterprise IT by reducing human intervention and enhancing security. These innovations are particularly impactful in industries such as finance, healthcare, and government, where data integrity and security are critical.
Catz has also been instrumental in Oracle’s aggressive expansion into AI-powered cloud services, ensuring that businesses can leverage advanced AI tools for data analytics, automation, and decision-making. With a strong focus on cloud security, she is leading efforts to build more resilient and compliant enterprise solutions, addressing the growing concerns around cybersecurity and data privacy.
Beyond technology, Catz is a key advocate for diversity and leadership in the tech industry. Her strategic vision, financial expertise, and commitment to innovation have cemented Oracle’s position as a global leader in enterprise technology. Through her leadership, Oracle continues to redefine the future of cloud computing and AI, helping businesses navigate an increasingly digital world.
8.Whitney Wolfe Herd (United States) – Founder & CEO, Bumble
Whitney Wolfe Herd – Innovating Online Connections with AI and Safety
Whitney Wolfe Herd, the founder and CEO of Bumble, has revolutionized the online dating industry by creating a platform that prioritizes women’s empowerment and safety. Since its launch in 2014, Bumble has grown into a global social networking company, setting itself apart with its unique “women make the first move” approach. Wolfe Herd’s vision has reshaped the dynamics of digital relationships, promoting respectful and meaningful connections.
In 2025, she continues to drive Bumble’s expansion beyond dating, transforming it into a broader social networking platform. Bumble’s offerings now include Bumble BFF for friendships and Bumble Bizz for professional networking, catering to users looking for connections in various aspects of life. This strategic move positions Bumble as a leader in fostering safe and inclusive online interactions.
A key focus of Wolfe Herd’s leadership is the integration of AI-driven safety features to enhance user experience. By leveraging artificial intelligence, Bumble has strengthened its moderation tools, detecting harmful content, fake profiles, and abusive behavior more efficiently. This AI-powered safety framework ensures that users can engage with confidence in a secure digital space.
Beyond technology, Wolfe Herd remains a strong advocate for women in leadership and entrepreneurship. She actively promotes workplace diversity and encourages more women to take charge in the tech industry. Through her innovative approach and commitment to safety and inclusivity, Whitney Wolfe Herd is redefining the future of online interactions, making them more empowering and secure for everyone.
9.Lisa Su (Taiwan/United States) – CEO, AMD
Lisa Su – Driving AMD’s Innovation in AI and High-Performance Computing
Lisa Su, the CEO of AMD (Advanced Micro Devices), has been instrumental in transforming the company into a global leader in high-performance computing. Since taking over as CEO in 2014, she has led AMD’s resurgence, making it a strong competitor against industry giants like Intel and NVIDIA. Under her leadership, AMD has become a major player in CPU, GPU, and AI-driven chip technology, powering everything from gaming consoles to data centers.
In 2025, Su continues to push AMD’s innovation in AI acceleration and quantum computing. With the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, AMD is focusing on developing AI-optimized processors that enhance deep learning, automation, and cloud computing. The company’s latest advancements in AI-driven GPUs are positioning AMD as a key competitor to NVIDIA in the AI hardware space, enabling faster and more efficient machine learning applications.
AMD’s breakthroughs in quantum computing also mark a significant step toward the future of computing, with Su steering the company’s research into next-generation processing power. Additionally, AMD’s EPYC server processors and Ryzen chips continue to set industry benchmarks in performance, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
Beyond technology, Su is widely respected for her leadership style, focusing on innovation, strategic growth, and talent development. As one of the most influential figures in the semiconductor industry, she continues to shape the future of computing, ensuring AMD remains a powerhouse in AI, gaming, and enterprise solutions. Through her vision and expertise, Lisa Su is driving AMD to new heights in the era of AI-driven technology.
10.Anne Wojcicki (United States) – CEO, 23andMe
Anne Wojcicki (United States) – CEO, 23andMe
Anne Wojcicki has revolutionized personalized medicine through 23andMe, a company specializing in genetic testing. In 2025, she is leading genomics-driven healthcare solutions, allowing people to predict and prevent diseases using AI-powered DNA analysis.
Under her leadership, 23andMe has expanded beyond consumer genetic testing into a broader healthcare ecosystem, integrating advanced AI models to provide more precise insights into an individual’s genetic risks. By leveraging machine learning and big data, the company has refined its ability to predict conditions like cancer, Alzheimer’s, and cardiovascular diseases, giving users actionable health recommendations. This approach empowers individuals to make informed lifestyle and medical decisions, bridging the gap between genetics and preventive healthcare.
Wojcicki has also played a crucial role in fostering collaborations between 23andMe and pharmaceutical companies. These partnerships have facilitated groundbreaking drug discoveries, particularly in rare genetic disorders, by utilizing the company’s vast genetic database. Through these efforts, she has positioned 23andMe as a key player in precision medicine, where treatments can be tailored to a person’s genetic profile, improving efficacy and reducing side effects.
Beyond technology and research, Wojcicki remains an advocate for genetic privacy and ethical genomics. She continues to push for policies that balance innovation with consumer protection, ensuring that individuals retain control over their genetic data while still benefiting from advancements in personalized medicine.
Through her vision and leadership, Anne Wojcicki is not just transforming the healthcare industry but also empowering people worldwide to take charge of their health like never before.
