Neha Shukla
Inventor, Bestselling Author, Chair of World Economic Forum's Generation AI Council
I develop technology to address community challenges and create social change. I wrote a bestselling book to encourage youth innovation called 'Innovation for Everyone'. I lead the World Economic Forum's Generation AI Council as the US Representative and Chair to advocate for child-safe, ethical artificial intelligence.
I code apps, build microprocessor hardware, and work with AI algorithms to develop solutions to problems ranging from COVID-safety to homelessness to climate change. I've had the honor of presenting my iOS app to Apple's CEO, Tim Cook. My innovations are featured in the New York Times, Nasdaq billboard in Times Square, ABC, Harper's Bazaar, and recognized by President Biden as well as the Royal Family.
I absolutely love seeing the intersection between technology and social impact while building my latest innovations! Outside of inventing, I love using my voice to advocate for girls of color like me to find their passion for technology and to encourage companies to build pathways of opportunity for youth everywhere. I'm currently thrilled to be a GenZ voice leading the AI movement not only by highlighting the possibilities of artificial intelligence, but also by encouraging ethical and responsible design to protect young users.
As a high school senior, my typical day at work starts after school! I usually spend my days programming my latest projects, speaking with my World Economic Forum team, and speaking virtually at conferences to share my book and experiences as a young inventor. My days can get very busy while balancing being a high school student with my career and public speaking! I love the jam-packed days and the opportunity to do what I love every day.
I started my journey with technology when I was 15 years old, motivated by seeing my local community devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. To support my small town, I taught myself how to code and built SixFeetApart, a wearable social-distancing device to save lives. As I began implementing my solution in the community, my story was picked up by the New York Times and my innovation went viral! It was an incredible moment where companies were amplifying my voice and believing in me as a young inventor. Since then, I've never stopped inventing, developing technology, and using my voice to advocate for change. Now, I've developed an app combating homelessness and presented it to Apple CEO Tim Cook, interned at NASA for environmental protection satellites, wrote a bestselling book on youth innovation, and am currently fighting for child-safe and ethical AI. This journey in technology was sparked by the realization that even the smallest voices and simplest ideas have the power to create a positive impact.
In the future, I'm excited to continue working with cutting-edge technology to solve global challenges and support communities in need. I'm excited to work in fields like artificial intelligence, machine learning, virtual reality, and data science at the intersection of equity, sustainability, and social impact. I'm just 18 years old right now, so I have a lot of time to explore!
In my free time, I love playing the piano, running, listening to music, spending time with my family, and getting boba with friends!
"Young people have the power to build a more inclusive and innovative future." ~ Neha Shukla