As Artificial Intelligence continues to gain prominence, the need for role models in this field becomes increasingly crucial, especially those who can inspire the next generation of innovators.
In this blog, we’ll explore the importance of recognising young role models in AI and how they can make a lasting impact on the future. We will also take a closer look at this year’s finalists in the Young AI Role Model of the Year category for the 2023 AI Awards.
Breaking Stereotypes
Historically, AI and computer science have been perceived as male-dominated fields. Young role models, especially those from underrepresented groups, can help shatter these stereotypes and encourage diversity in AI. When young individuals see someone like themselves succeeding in AI, it empowers them to believe that they can do the same, regardless of their gender, ethnicity or background.
Accessibility and Relatability
Young leaders are often more relatable to their peers and can convey complex AI concepts in a way that is easy to understand. This relatability is essential in making AI accessible to a broader audience, particularly to younger generations who may be considering a career in AI. When these young role models share their journeys and experiences, they bridge the gap between AI experts and aspiring students, making the field less intimidating.
Real-World Inspiration
Role Models have a unique ability to inspire their peers by showcasing their practical achievements in AI. Whether it’s winning a hackathon, publishing a research paper or developing a groundbreaking AI application, their accomplishments serve as concrete evidence that pursuing a career in AI is not just a distant dream but an achievable goal.
Evolving with Technology
AI is an ever-evolving field, and up-and-coming young talent are often at the forefront of new developments and trends. They can introduce their peers to the latest technologies, tools and best practices, helping to keep the AI community informed and relevant. Their fresh perspectives can contribute to innovative solutions and ideas.
Fostering a Collaborative Community
These bright young talents can foster a collaborative and supportive AI community. By sharing their experiences, networking and collaborating on projects, they can create a sense of belonging within the AI industry. This spirit of collaboration can lead to more inclusive and diverse AI research and applications.
Promoting Ethical AI
As AI technology raises complex ethical questions, role models can lead the way in advocating for responsible and ethical AI development and use. They can raise awareness about potential biases, privacy concerns and social implications of AI, encouraging their peers to consider these factors in their work.
Meet the 2023 AI Awards Finalists
Young AI Role Model of the Year

Ana Le Chevillier
For playing a pivotal role in the AI_PREMie project, which aims to transform preeclampsia diagnosis and risk assessment. Ana’s skills encompass data science and ethical AI, and she envisions leveraging AI for early disease detection and management in healthcare.

Chenyang Lyu
A final year PhD student at DCU with an impressive track record of research, particularly in the application of pre-trained Large Language Models to Question & Answering and Multi-modal tasks, resulting in over 15 publications in prestigious conferences and journals.

Conor Kelly
Head of Growth at Humanloop, Conor developed TaxBot, an AI Irish Tax Advisor, scoring over 80% in Irish Chartered Accounting Exams. Their solution addresses hallucination issues in AI and aims to impact the Irish tax advisory sector, offering a free, open-source tool.

Meghana Rathi
For her significant contributions, including a novel algorithm combining reinforcement learning and control engineering. She led IBM’s role in the PLANET project, explored AI’s potential in COVID diagnosis and actively promotes diversity in tech.
In conclusion, role models in AI are indispensable for shaping the future of the field. They break down barriers, make AI accessible and inspire the next generation of innovators. Their influence goes beyond their technical expertise; they create a sense of community, promote diversity and champion ethical AI development.
As AI continues to advance, we must recognise and celebrate exceptional young talent who are paving the way for a more inclusive, innovative and responsible AI industry. These up-and-coming leaders are the driving force that will help AI reach its full potential and benefit humanity as a whole.
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Limited tickets remain for the 2023 AI Awards.

The fifth annual AI Awards takes place on Tuesday November 21st at the Gibson Hotel. This is an exciting opportunity to connect and network with over 200 AI and Data professionals across the island of Ireland and hear from some of the most exciting AI applications across industry and academia spanning 12 award categories.
Don’t miss the opportunity to get your tickets now! Sale ends November 17th but limited tickets remain so head over to aiawards.ie/tickets or Eventbrite to book your seat today!