The SSAI Awards highlight and recognize the achievements of women across the globe who are pioneers in responsibly developing and utilizing AI for social impact.
The inaugural 2024/25 Awards will be presented in 6 categories.
The descriptions are not meant to be all-encompassing but rather aim to provide some guidance and inspiration. We also welcome nominations for work that goes beyond what’s listed below, provided it contributes to advancing the field covered by our five categories.
AI and Democracy recognizes the innovative use of AI to strengthen democratic processes, promote inclusivity in politics, and empower communities. From combating misinformation and deep fakes to enhancing government transparency and policy-making, AI is shaping how democracies can better serve and enable their citizens. This award spotlights the power of AI to strengthen civic participation, improve political discourse, and support equitable leadership in politics.
We seek nominations for women leveraging AI to address challenges in democracy, such as misinformation, civic engagement, and transparent governance. Ideal nominees will demonstrate impactful use of AI in supporting representative political leadership, fostering ethical political dynamics, or enhancing access to government services. Initiatives that promote inclusivity in democracy, use AI for policy-making, or empower underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged.
This category is presented in partnership with Apolitical Foundation, a globally active non-profit with a mission to update political leadership for the 21st century.
AI poses many risks but also has the potential to revolutionize politics, offering opportunities to create a safer and more equitable political landscape. By supporting and highlighting the efforts of women who use AI ethically, we can harness their power for positive change in strengthening democracy and political leadership worldwide.
- Lisa Witter, Co-Founder & CEO of Apolitical Foundation
AI and Peace honors work to use AI as a tool for peace-building and conflict resolution. From supporting communities in post-conflict zones to combating cyber violence and advancing humanitarian crisis management, we want to showcase AI that contributes to a more peaceful and connected world. The award recognizes women who are pioneering the development and use of AI to foster peace, economic opportunity, and stability, particularly in vulnerable regions.
We are looking for nominees who use AI to promote peace and support communities, especially women and vulnerable groups, in post-conflict zones. Ideal candidates will be using AI for initiatives like conflict prevention, promoting positive discourse, managing humanitarian crises, and fostering economic opportunities that drive sustainable peace. Projects that raise awareness of AI’s impact on global peace and security, or those actively working to create AI standards that prevent and reduce violence and fragility, are highly encouraged to apply.
This category is presented in partnership with ERIA, an international organization established in Jakarta, Indonesia. The ERIA Digital Innovation and Sustainable Economy Centre (E-DISC) is committed to building a strong and responsible digital transformation in ASEAN and East Asia.
It is such a pleasure to work with She Shapes AI to build a more inclusive AI ecosystem. As Women, Peace and Security and Digital Inclusion is becoming a central area of our activities at ERIA, we are thrilled to co-design the AI & Peace Award category. I look forward to meeting and learning from amazing women in this space.
- Giulia Ajmone Marsan, Head of E-DISC, ERIA
AI and Learning celebrates the innovative application of AI to transform education and learning environments, making them more accessible, personalized, and inclusive. Whether supporting remote learning, advancing personalized education, or fostering inclusivity in non-traditional learning formats, AI is driving significant change in how we educate and train future generations. From revolutionizing curriculum creation to encouraging young women in STEM, this award highlights AI’s potential to empower learners and educators alike, ensuring education is adaptive to our changing world.
We are seeking nominations for projects or initiatives using AI to expand educational opportunities, particularly for girls and women. Ideal nominees will demonstrate impactful use of AI in areas such as remote learning, personalized education, or adult skill development, helping learners of all ages adapt to evolving job markets. Additionally, projects promoting inclusivity, capacity-building in STEM, or AI tools that assist educators with administrative tasks will be recognized for their contributions to advancing modern, equitable education.
AI and Nature celebrates the use of AI in advancing sustainable practices and environmental conservation. From improving energy efficiency and wildlife monitoring to combating illegal fishing and enhancing water distribution, AI plays a pivotal role in protecting our planet. By promoting sustainability in agriculture, food security, and marine health, this award highlights the groundbreaking ways AI can contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and creating a more eco-friendly future.
We are seeking nominations for AI-driven initiatives that prioritize environmental sustainability and conservation. Ideal candidates will showcase innovative uses of AI in areas including energy efficiency, biodiversity monitoring, sustainable agriculture, water management, and the reduction of food waste. Nominations that contribute to global efforts such as protecting marine diversity, ensuring food security, or promoting sustainable manufacturing process will be highly regarded for their positive environmental impact.
AI and Media honors women leveraging AI to revolutionize media creation, integrity, and accessibility. From combating misinformation and promoting fact-checking to enhancing content personalization and archiving historical media, AI is transforming how we engage with and produce media ethically. The award recognizes those who are advancing ethical AI research, fostering transparency, and developing technology to increase media accessibility and education.
We are seeking nominations for women using AI to address key challenges and opportunities in media. Ideal nominees will be innovating in areas such as fighting misinformation, supporting journalistic integrity, enhancing content creation, and developing AI-driven audience engagement tools. Initiatives that improve accessibility for disabled individuals, support immersive experiences, or contribute to media literacy and ethical AI usage are highly encouraged to apply.
This category is presented in partnership with The Harnisch Foundation. Since its founding in 1998, the Harnisch Foundation has invested in a fairer world that works better for everyone, with special attention on gender and racial equity.
AI isn't just changing our world - it's redefining human potential itself. Yet men remain the primary architects of this transformation. Supporting women leaders in media and AI emphasizes the importance of including the full spectrum of human perspectives.
- Ruth Harnisch, President
Thought Leadership in AI honors women who are pioneering the discourse on responsible AI, shaping the future of this technology through insightful analysis, innovative ideas, and influential advocacy. This award recognizes those who are advancing ethical AI frameworks, promoting diversity and inclusion in AI development, and fostering a global community dedicated to AI for social good. The recipients are thought leaders who inspire and educate others, driving meaningful conversations and policy changes that ensure AI benefits society equitably and sustainably.
We are seeking nominations for women who are leading the conversation on responsible AI, addressing key challenges and opportunities in the field. Ideal nominees will be contributing to areas such as ethical AI guidelines, policy advocacy, public education, and community building. Initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, or contribute to the development of responsible AI practices and standards are highly encouraged to apply.
The winners of the inaugural She Shapes AI Awards will be announced during our live conference and award ceremony in London/UK on 18th February 2025. See here for more information.
Call for Nominations. Our call for nominations for the inaugural SSAI Awards opened on October 1st, 2024, and closed on November 20th, 2024. Nominations are closed.
All nominations underwent an eligibility check before being reviewed by our international expert jurors. The winners for each category are selected by our Global Award Council.
On January 16th, we have announced the list of the top 33 SSAI nominees. Click here to view the list of nominees.
The three finalists per category were announced between February 3rd and 10th, 2025.
The 2024/25 She Shapes AI Awards will be presented at a live event in London, UK, on February 18th, 2025. To find out more, click here.
You can nominate yourself or another female AI leader by completing our online application by November 20, 2024. Nominations open on October 1, 2024.
Anyone can submit a nomination for the She Shapes AI Awards, including individuals, organizations, and the candidates themselves. Nominations are open globally, and there is no restriction on the number of nominations one can submit. You can submit your nomination using our online application. Thank you!
Yes, applicants are welcome to nominate themselves. You can submit your nomination using our online application. Thank you!
Yes, a nominee can be submitted in multiple categories if their contributions align with more than one area. However, they can only be selected as a finalist or winner in one category.
Nominees must have made significant contributions to the responsible and ethical development or use of AI for societal good. Contributions must fall within one of the five categories: AI and Democracy, AI and Peace, AI and Learning, AI and Nature, or AI and Media. If you're unsure whether you qualify, reach out to us.
No, we also welcome nominations for/from individuals who, through their work, contribute to using AI responsibly and ethically for social impact. Our overall aim is to show what is possible when AI is done well.
If your nominee's work spans multiple categories, you can nominate them for more than one. The selection committee will ensure the nominee is evaluated appropriately.
No, we do not require that nominees have any specific academic or professional qualifications.
Yes, we require that nominees be 18 years or older in order to be eligible.
Yes, we are asking that the nominee’s work be current or have taken place in the last two - three years to proceed to the next phase.
Nominations open on October 1st, 2024, and will close on November 20th, 2024.
You will need to provide the nominee's full name, contact information, a summary of their contributions to responsible AI, and any relevant supporting materials (e.g., project descriptions, articles, etc.). You will also be asked to answer some questions about the nominee's contributions to AI-related innovation and impact and you will have to explain why you believe the nominee fits the selected category.
We are proud to utilize Award Force as our award management platform. Award Force uses a variety of measures to ensure the confidentiality and security of all nominations. The platform is ISO/IEC 27001 certified, providing high standards of information security management. Multi-factor authentication (MFA/2FA) is available to secure accounts. AwardForce complies with GDPR, APP, and CCPA to protect user privacy. Additionally, the platform offers built-in cookies management and subscription preferences to enhance data control. These measures ensure that all information remains protected and confidential.
After nominations close, the She Shapes AI team will conduct internal eligibility checks. An international panel of experts will evaluate and shortlist the top five candidates in each category. The Global Awards Council members will review the top nominees and select the winner of each category.
Semifinalists will be announced online on 15 January 2025. The category winners will be announced online on 1 February. The physical awards will be handed over at the She Shapes AI Award Ceremony and Conference in London, UK, on February 18th, 2025.
Thank you for your interest in becoming a sponsor! We offer a range of tailor-made sponsorship packages to meet your organization's goals and level of commitment. Please see here for more information and contact us.
The winners will be announced in person at the She Shapes AI Award Ceremony and Conference scheduled to take place in London, UK on February 18th, 2025. The top five nominees per category will be invited to the in-person event. Further details to be released.