Born: January 24, 1972 in Providence, Rhode Island

Dr. Ayanna Howard has pioneered advances in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). Her work includes designing next-generation robots, from in-home assistive devices to ones that remotely monitor extreme environments. Notably, she has created inclusive robots designed to interact with and adapt to children with special needs. Dr. Howard is a champion for using AI in a responsible manner that includes diverse perspectives and needs.