In the dynamic world of artificial intelligence, where innovation often takes centre stage, Annepeace Alwala stands out. As the Vice President of Global Service Delivery at Sama, she's not just a leading figure in data annotation and model validation for AI applications; she's a testament to the power of purpose-driven leadership.
Her story, which began in the humble environs of Githurai, Kenya, is an inspiring journey that spans continents and redefines what it means to be a global leader in tech.
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Today, Annepeace oversees vast operations that power AI solutions across diverse sectors, from the intricate systems of autonomous transportation to cutting-edge MedTech, and vital applications in agriculture and retail.
Her work at Sama isn't merely about technological advancement; it's deeply rooted in social impact, specifically focused on creating dignified digital job opportunities right here in Kenya.
Annepeace's path to leadership started much earlier than her impressive corporate title. She was a natural leader from the outset, serving as head girl throughout both her primary and secondary school years. Though her initial degree was in education, destiny had other plans.
Her career took a fascinating turn when she became a news reporter at Hope FM, a role that perhaps sharpened her communication skills and broadened her perspective.
She then transitioned to Kencall as a call centre agent before making a significant leap to South Africa, joining Aegis BPO. It was there that her potential truly blossomed, nurtured by the invaluable mentorship of Philip Tshikotshi, a relationship she credits as pivotal to her development.
An ardent champion of inclusive leadership, Annepeace walks the talk. At Sama, 51 per cent of the workforce are women, reflecting her commitment to gender equity in tech. The company has also built infrastructure to support working mothers, including a fully equipped mother's room.
Annepeace is vocal about the critical importance of supporting women and, equally, teaching boys to relate to and respect empowered women. Her principles guide her decisions, even when it means making tough choices.
She's turned down job offers where she sensed she was being considered simply for her gender, firmly asserting that her qualifications come first, long before her gender or ethnicity.
Meet Kathleen Siminyu, an AI researcher on a mission to ensure African voices are heard in the digital realm. At the DAIR Institute, her work in Natural Language Processing (NLP) is groundbreaking, focusing specifically on African languages.
She's not just doing research; she's building the very foundations, developing crucial language datasets that are bridging the digital divide and giving African languages the representation they deserve on digital platforms.
Kathleen has been pivotal in creating open-source African language datasets, and she's a strong advocate for responsible AI, actively involved in data governance to tackle power imbalances in AI development.
Her influence extends throughout the African AI community, where she's a dedicated contributor to organisations like Deep Learning Indaba and the Masakhane Research Foundation.
Beyond her research, Kathleen also serves as a technology specialist at Atlantica Ventures and is an angel investor with the Nairobi Business Angel Network, always seeking to foster the next wave of innovation.
At just 24, Dr. Dorcas Muthoni, a brilliant computer scientist and entrepreneur, founded OpenWorld Ltd, which quickly became a leading e-Government and business software services firm in Eastern Africa.
Her company has developed widely adopted applications, including ARIS, a crucial reporting tool for the African Union, and the Performance Management System for the Government of Kenya-solutions that have significantly streamlined public services.
Beyond her entrepreneurial success, Dorcas is the driving force behind AfChix, a powerful mentorship and capacity-building initiative dedicated to empowering women in computing across Africa.
Her tireless efforts have garnered international acclaim, earning her recognition as a Global Connector by the Internet Hall of Fame and as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. Dorcas is not just building software; she's building a future where women are at the forefront of technology.
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