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Speaking

Kathleen Siminyu is an experienced keynote speaker, panelist, and researcher. She delivers talks on African language technologies, data ownership & ethics, and grassroots AI ecosystem development.

Her speaking bridges technical expertise in machine learning with socio-cultural activism, making complex AI topics accessible and actionable for tech conferences, global policy forums, academic symposia, and corporate leadership summits.

Core Keynote Topics

1. Linguistic Sovereignty in the Age of AI

As foundational language models and generative AI systems reshape global communication, thousands of African and indigenous languages risk digital erasure or extractive exploitation. In this keynote, Kathleen explores how treating language technology development as a form of cultural sovereignty and activism creates equitable digital futures. She discusses participatory dataset curation, localized Natural Language Processing, and community-led models that protect and empower native speakers.

2. Speech AI Beyond the Benchmark: Data Optimization, Linguistic Frameworks, and Real-World User Needs in Kiswahili ASR

Building effective Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) for African languages requires moving past standard high-resource machine learning paradigms. It demands a rigorous interrogation of data efficiency, real-world utility, and linguistic depth. Drawing directly from her ongoing research evaluating speech data optimization and user needs for Kiswahili ASR, Kathleen explores what it takes to build speech tools that work where it matters most: in the hands of content creators engaged in indigenous digital knowledge preservation.

3. From Observers to Owners: Building Grassroots AI in Africa

The mission to build machine learning tools in Africa faces historical challenges—including data scarcity and unequal resource distribution. However, the mandate is clear: mobilize talent and opportunities so communities actively shape and own the technologies that affect them. Drawing on hard-won lessons from chairing the Masakhane Research Foundation, stewarding the Deep Learning Indaba, and building WiMLDS Nairobi, Kathleen shares a battle-tested blueprint for decentralized, community-driven scientific innovation.

Selected Speaking Appearances & Recordings

  • [Panel] Language, Humanity, and AI — Stanford / WiDS Virtual Conference with Chelsea Finn, Kathleen Siminyu, Karen Hao (Watch on YouTube)
  • [Keynote] Community Building Activities for Kiswahili Automatic Speech Recognition — Women in Data Science Worldwide Virtual Conference (Watch on YouTube)
  • [Talk] Decolonizing Data, One Language at a Time — Stanford PACS Digital Civil Society Lab (View at Stanford PACS)
  • [Panel] Voice Concerns: The Need for Diversity in Voice AI Datasets — Mozilla Dialogues & Debates (Watch on YouTube)
  • [Talk] Demystifying (or Unblackboxing) Neural Networks — PyCon KE (Watch on YouTube)
  • [Keynote] KIKK Festival Presentation — Namur, Belgium (Watch on YouTube)

Speaker Kit & Media Resources

For conference organizers, media producers, and event hosts:

  • Technical Rider: Virtual keynotes require high-definition video link; in-person presentations require wireless lapel mic, HDMI projection with audio passthrough, and confidence monitor.

Standard Keynote Bio (140 words):

Kathleen Siminyu is an Artificial Intelligence researcher focused on Natural Language Processing (NLP) for African languages. She is a researcher at the Distributed AI Research Institute (DAIR), where she works on the research and development of sovereign language technologies for low-resource language communities. Kathleen focuses her research on African languages as a form of activism and from a desire to see these languages better represented on digital platforms. She continues to organise with African AI communities as chair of the board of directors of the Masakhane Research Foundation and as a trustee of the Deep Learning Indaba. Her work has received international recognition, including being named one of the MIT Technology Review 35 Innovators Under 35 for 2022 and a Mozilla Rise25 honoree for 2024.

Short Program Bio (50 words):

Kathleen Siminyu is an AI researcher at the Distributed AI Research Institute (DAIR) focusing on Natural Language Processing (NLP) for African languages. An MIT Technology Review 35 Innovators Under 35 and Mozilla Rise25 honoree, she chairs the Masakhane Research Foundation and is a trustee of the Deep Learning Indaba.

Speaking Inquiries & Booking

To invite Kathleen to speak at your conference, corporate summit, or university lecture, please submit the inquiry form below or email kathleensiminyu@gmail.com.

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