February 18, 2025 – UCL School of Management, London.

The first-ever She Shapes AI Awards brought together innovators, thought leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs and policymakers to recognize women at the forefront of artificial intelligence.

From combating misinformation to preserving endangered languages, the honorees showcased how AI can be used not just for innovation, but for real-world impact.

This event, officially recognized as an affiliate gathering of the 2025 Paris AI Action Summit, underscores the crucial role of diverse voices in shaping global AI policy and innovation. By highlighting women who are driving ethical and impactful AI, the awards reinforce the need for more inclusive decision-making in technology.

Held on Level 50 of One Canada Square, the ceremony served as more than an awards event; it was a platform for voices that are too often overlooked in AI discourse. The winners exemplify how AI can be a catalyst for meaningful change. Their dedication and innovation set a powerful precedent for the next generation of women leaders in AI, proving that technology, when shaped with purpose, can be a tool for a better future.

Award Winners and Their Work

🏆 Alicia Combaz | AI & Democracy
Make.org empowers citizens to participate in shaping policy. Combaz has led AI-driven initiatives addressing misinformation, voter engagement, and legislative transparency, providing over 10 million people with structured ways to contribute to decision-making.

🏆 Branka Panic | AI & Peace
AI for Peace integrates artificial intelligence into early warning systems for conflict prevention, humanitarian crisis response, and countering hate speech. Panic’s work supports international organizations in identifying threats before they escalate.

🏆 Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo | AI & Learning
Lamentillo’s NightOwlGPT brings AI-driven language preservation to communities whose languages face extinction. The platform offers real-time translation and culturally relevant learning tools, increasing access to education in remote regions across the Philippines, Colombia, Ghana, and Pakistan.

🏆 Diana Gutierrez | AI & Nature
Optim.ai challenges AI’s environmental impact. Gutierrez developed a GreenIMPACT Calculator, allowing companies to measure and reduce the energy consumption of machine learning models.

🏆 Jenny Romano | AI & Media
The Newsroom helps journalists navigate the overload of digital information. Romano’s AI-powered verification system tracks the origin of news stories, reducing the time required for fact-checking by over 50%.

🏆 Dr. Elizabeth M. Adams | Thought Leadership in AI
Adams’ advisory work has shaped policy changes on AI ethics, bias mitigation, and regulation. Her expertise informs corporate strategies, academic discussions, and government frameworks guiding AI adoption.

AI Usage Notice: In preparing this article, AI tools were used with careful human oversight and editing. We believe in transparency regarding the use of AI in our work.
AI Usage Notice: In preparing this article, AI tools were used with careful human oversight and editing. We believe in transparency regarding the use of AI in our work.

Beyond Awards: A Forum for AI’s Future

Before the official award ceremony and the announcement of winners in each of the six categories, the evening opened with remarks from Dr. Julia Stamm, founder of She Shapes AI. She emphasized that the trajectory of AI must be shaped collectively, rather than dictated by a small group of decision-makers.

“We are at a critical tipping point. If we want to create a future where AI works for everyone, we need to ensure that it is shaped by many, not a few. By celebrating women from across the globe who propel the field forward and highlighting their impactful work, we show what is possible when AI aligns with societal values and responsible principles – and that business success and doing ‘good’ are not mutually exclusive.”

Dr. Angela Aristidou, UCL School of Management, followed with a call to action:

“AI is still in its formative stage. This is a rare moment when we can imprint values and safeguards before it solidifies into an unchangeable system.”

The event’s second half moved beyond recognition and into deep discussions about AI’s real-world applications. Award recipients shared firsthand experiences from the field, demonstrating AI’s role in tackling structural inequalities, environmental challenges, and disinformation crises.

Throughout the day workshops led by industry experts and researchers addressed practical concerns around AI governance, accountability, and ethical development.

She Shapes AI, the organizer of the She Shapes AI Awards, is a global platform dedicated to highlighting and amplifying the contributions of women who are shaping the future of artificial intelligence. With a strong focus on responsibility, ethics, and impact, it celebrates AI as a tool for positive transformation. She Shapes AI is a movement—an organization committed to showcasing what AI can achieve when developed with purpose, inclusivity, and integrity.

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