Dr. Uyi Stewart oversees all of data.org’s programmatic initiatives in Capacity Building and the development of Digital Public Goods (DPGs) which today include the Generative AI Skills Challenge, Inclusive Growth and Recovery Challenge, the Capacity Accelerator Network, and Epiverse, etc.
Uyi is a trailblazing expert in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Systems Thinking, and strategic digital innovation with over 25 years of experience across private and non-profit sectors. Prior to joining data.org in August 2022, he was an executive director of Data Science, Technical Operations, Seagen Inc., USA (now Pfizer), focusing on the application of AI in the digitalization of biologics data to accelerate the processes and development timelines of cancer drugs. Before that, he was an executive director, AI Commons, focused on the creation of a knowledge hub to democratize and localize access to AI technologies to benefit everyone. For ~3 years, he was a director of Global Development’s Strategy, Data and Analytics at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, centralizing the use of data and AI to fight disease, poverty, and inequity around the world. He spent 12 years at IBM Research where he was appointed a Distinguished Engineer (IBM’s 2nd highest technical honor), and was also a co-founder and inaugural Chief Scientist, IBM Research – Africa, Nairobi (Africa’s 1st commercial AI and applied research lab), where he pioneered the use of Big Data & Machine Learning to combat the Ebola outbreak in West Africa via behavior change, as well as other ML/AI solutions to address Africa’s grand challenges.
Uyi holds a Ph.D. in Linguistics from McGill University and a M.Phil from Cambridge University. He has 15 patents, published a book in “Outstanding Dissertations in Linguistics” – Garland series, authored 65 publications, and has been involved in the implementation of hundreds of innovative digital solutions across Africa, Asia, LATAM, and the United States of America. He has received numerous recognitions for his work in the application of AI and digital transformation to uplift the vulnerable and marginalized, including Black Engineer of the Year 2014 – Outstanding Technical Contribution – Industry, USA.