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At PAI we believe that responsible AI holds great promise to advance positive outcomes for people and society. We are acutely aware of how AI is reshaping our world and understand the importance of making sure it is developed and utilized responsibly. The actions and decisions that we make today in the field of AI will significantly shape its influence on our world tomorrow. Leaders in the AI space play a critical role in setting the direction for years to come. Throughout PAI’s history we have had the privilege to collaborate with leaders whose work embodies our mission to advance the development of AI that advances equity, justice, and prosperity.
To recognize some of these influential leaders in AI, PAI established the Changemakers Awards at our 2024 Partner Forum in December. Recognizing leadership and impact in the responsible AI community, PAI’s Changemakers Awards commend individuals who champion projects addressing societal challenges; leverage their insights and influence to shape public understanding of ethical AI; and build cross-sector partnerships, ensuring community voices are integral to AI development.
We are thrilled to acknowledge four exceptional leaders who have profoundly influenced PAI’s trajectory. All four of these leaders were influential members of PAI’s Board of Directors at pivotal moments in the history of our evolution. While influencing the strategic direction of PAI, these leaders advanced the field of AI throughout their careers. Please join us in celebrating the inaugural recipients of the 2024 Changemakers Awards: Angela Glover Blackwell, Eric Horvitz, Carol Rose, and Eric Sears.
Angela Glover Blackwell
Angela is the founder in residence at PolicyLink, the organization she started in 1999 to advance racial and economic equity for all. A lawyer by training and professor at UC Berkeley, she is a leading voice in the fight for improving access and opportunity for all low-income people and communities of color in the areas of health, housing, transportation, and infrastructure. Angela joined PAI at a pivotal time, when the disparate harm of algorithms on marginalized communities was becoming clear. Her commitment to social justice, racial equality and coalition building set the stage for our theory of change.
“[PAI’s] cutting-edge roster of partners includes a blend of leading technology firms, civic leaders, and social justice advocates – a vanguard community with the potential to tap the radical imagination in us all as we navigate the headwaters of AI innovation. I’m committed to bringing the voice, wisdom, and experience of equity leaders to deliver on the promise of an equitable society: one where everyone can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential.”
Eric Horvitz
Eric is Microsoft’s Chief Scientific Officer, leading initiatives at the intersection of science, technology, and society, with a focus on AI. He has made significant contributions to the field of AI, particularly in machine learning and reasoning. His efforts have influenced applications in healthcare, transportation, ecommerce, operating systems, and aerospace. As Founding Chair of the PAI Board of Directors, his vision of building an international multistakeholder community working together to ensure that AI advances positive outcomes for people and society is PAI’s clarion call and roadmap to impact.
“The Partnership on AI was sparked by conversations among AI scientific leaders across the community who shared a vision for contributing to the responsible development of AI. Launching PAI alongside passionate co-founders and guiding it into flight was the realization of that vision—bringing together experts in AI and other areas from industry, civil society, non-profit, and academic organizations to foster dialogue, explore AI’s influence on people and society, and to develop resources, solutions, and recommendations. It has been an honor to help build this unique organization over its first decade, as we learned and grew through meaningful collaborations and impactful work.”
Carol Rose
Carol is the Executive Director of the ACLU of Massachusetts. A lifelong leader and advocate for human rights and social justice, she has dedicated her career to promoting civil rights and defending civil liberties. As a highly respected leader with deep non profit expertise, Carol was a founding member of PAI’s Board of Directors. Her work at the intersection of technology and liberty has been instrumental in expanding legal protections for civil rights and civil liberties.
“The Partnership on AI is a critical collaboration platform that brings together experts across many sectors to focus on how AI and machine learning can be developed to enhance, rather than threaten, human rights and civil liberties. We seek to strengthen the voice and commitment of people who seek to develop new technologies in ways that mitigate harm and promote equality, justice, and freedom for all people.”
Eric Sears
Eric Sears is the Director for Technology in the Public for the MacArthur Foundation. Throughout his expansive career at the intersection of human rights and technology he has supported the advancement of interdisciplinary research, policy, and practice that centers public interest considerations in the design and governance of artificial intelligence. As the Founding Vice Chair of the PAI Board of Directors, serving from 2017-2024, his leadership comes from a deep understanding and commitment to building a thriving ecosystem of diverse perspectives and multistakeholder organizations. At PAI, that has led to profound results in the governance of AI today and for the future.
“It has been a joy and privilege to see PAI grow from an idea into the thriving organization it is today that has a track record of strategic impact – with more to come. PAI’s mission and multistakeholder work is more important than ever to advance AI in a way that is broadly beneficial, and harms are prevented.”