Anika Dugal

Anika Dugal is an advocate for equitable and responsible artificial intelligence. Her mission is to ensure that AI systems are fair, safe, and inclusively designed with the needs of historically marginalized groups in mind. 

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​Anika is the Founder of Girls for Algorithmic Justice (GFAJ), the world's largest youth nonprofit focused on gender-equitable AI. Under her leadership, GFAJ has grown into a global coalition of 200+ student volunteers across 20 countries working through grassroots advocacy, education, and technical training to create AI systems that safeguard the rights and dignity of girls and women.

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Anika is an Angier B. Duke Scholar, Coca-Cola Scholar, and Laidlaw Scholar at Duke University, where she studies Computer Science and Public Policy. Her work has earned national recognition: she received the George H.W. Bush Points of Light Award, a letter of commendation from Governor Phil Murphy, and was honored as a Prudential Emerging Visionary. She has been featured on the TODAY Show and recognized as one of Her Campus's "22 Most Inspiring People under 22."

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She has served as a youth delegate to the 4th United Nations SDG Action Weekend and as a delegate to the U.S. Senate Youth Program. Anika was also invited to the White House to attend a State of the Union Reception and meet President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. 

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Anika has advised the U.S. Department of Education on its national Digital Wellbeing Challenge, helping shape responsible tech initiatives for schools nationwide. She also represented over 130,000 people as a member of Congressman Frank Pallone's Youth Advisory Council. Her work has been covered by Yahoo News, Nasdaq, Ashoka Changemakers, and more. 

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In addition to her advocacy work, Anika is a speaker on topics including tech policy, equitable AI, women and girls' empowerment in STEM, and youth leadership. She has spoken at Columbia University, Oxford University's Rothermere American Institute, and for several responsible tech organizations and podcasts. Her speaking engagements have collectively reached an audience of over 10,000 students worldwide.