# Timnit Gebru

> computer scientist, specialising in AI ethics

**Wikidata**: [Q59753117](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q59753117)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timnit_Gebru)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/timnit-gebru

## Summary
Timnit Gebru is an American computer scientist specializing in AI ethics, known for her work on algorithmic bias and the founding of the Distributed Artificial Intelligence Research Institute (DAIR). She was a prominent researcher at Google before being fired in 2020 for her critiques of the company's AI practices.

## Biography
- Born: 1983 in Addis Ababa
- Nationality: United States
- Education: PhD from Stanford University, advised by Fei-Fei Li
- Known for: Research on AI ethics, algorithmic bias, and the dangers of large language models
- Employer(s): Google (2011–2020), Microsoft Research (post-2020)
- Field(s): AI ethics, artificial intelligence, data mining

## Contributions
Timnit Gebru is best known for her work on AI ethics, particularly her 2020 paper *"On the Dangers of Stochastic Parrots: Can Language Models Be Too Big? 🦜"*, which highlighted the risks of large language models. She also co-founded the Distributed Artificial Intelligence Research Institute (DAIR) in 2021, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ethical AI research. Her research focused on algorithmic bias, data mining, and the ethical implications of AI systems. She was a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion in AI, often critiquing Google's handling of these issues. Her work gained widespread attention, including recognition by *Time* and the BBC as one of the most influential people in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

## FAQs
### Q: What was Timnit Gebru fired from Google for?
A: Timnit Gebru was fired from Google in December 2020 after she criticized the company's AI practices, including its handling of algorithmic bias and facial recognition technology.

### Q: What is the Distributed Artificial Intelligence Research Institute (DAIR)?
A: DAIR is a nonprofit organization founded by Timnit Gebru in 2021 to promote ethical AI research and address issues of bias and inclusivity in the field.

### Q: What is Timnit Gebru's most famous paper?
A: Her 2020 paper *"On the Dangers of Stochastic Parrots: Can Language Models Be Too Big? 🦜"* warned about the risks of large language models and their potential for misuse.

### Q: What awards has Timnit Gebru received?
A: She was named to *Time*'s 100 Most Influential People in 2022 and to the BBC's 100 Women in 2023.

### Q: What is Timnit Gebru's background in AI ethics?
A: Timnit Gebru earned her PhD from Stanford University and worked at Google Research before focusing on AI ethics, particularly algorithmic bias and the ethical implications of AI systems.

## Why They Matter
Timnit Gebru's work on AI ethics has had a significant impact on the field, raising awareness about the dangers of algorithmic bias and the need for ethical AI practices. Her firing from Google in 2020 sparked a broader conversation about diversity and accountability in tech. The founding of DAIR has provided a platform for ethical AI research, influencing how the industry addresses bias and inclusivity. Her advocacy has helped shape discussions on AI governance and the responsible development of AI technologies.

## Notable For
- Co-authored the influential paper *"On the Dangers of Stochastic Parrots: Can Language Models Be Too Big? 🦜"* (2020)
- Founded the Distributed Artificial Intelligence Research Institute (DAIR) in 2021
- Named to *Time*'s 100 Most Influential People (2022) and the BBC's 100 Women (2023)
- Advocated for diversity and inclusion in AI research
- Critiqued Google's handling of AI ethics and algorithmic bias

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Timnit Gebru was born in 1983 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and later moved to the United States. She earned her PhD from Stanford University under the supervision of Fei-Fei Li, focusing on computer science and AI ethics.

### Career at Google
Gebru worked as a researcher at Google from 2011 until her firing in December 2020. During her tenure, she conducted research on algorithmic bias, data mining, and the ethical implications of AI. Her work gained attention for its critiques of Google's AI practices, particularly in facial recognition and bias mitigation.

### Firing and Aftermath
Her dismissal from Google in 2020 became a high-profile incident, drawing attention to issues of diversity and accountability in tech. Following her departure, she joined Microsoft Research and co-founded DAIR, a nonprofit dedicated to ethical AI research.

### Key Publications and Research
Gebru's most notable work includes *"On the Dangers of Stochastic Parrots: Can Language Models Be Too Big? 🦜"*, which warned about the risks of large language models. She also contributed to discussions on AI ethics, bias, and the responsible development of AI technologies.

### Awards and Recognition
She has been recognized for her contributions, including being named to *Time*'s 100 Most Influential People in 2022 and the BBC's 100 Women in 2023. Her work has influenced discussions on AI governance and ethical AI practices.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Person",
  "name": "Timnit Gebru",
  "jobTitle": "AI Ethicist",
  "worksFor": {"@type": "Organization", "name": "Microsoft Research"},
  "nationality": {"@type": "Country", "name": "United States"},
  "birthDate": "1983",
  "birthPlace": "Addis Ababa, Ethiopia",
  "alumniOf": [{"@type": "EducationalOrganization", "name": "Stanford University"}],
  "knowsAbout": ["AI Ethics", "Algorithmic Bias", "Artificial Intelligence"],
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105086090", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timnit_Gebru"],
  "description": "American computer scientist specializing in AI ethics, known for her work on algorithmic bias and founding of DAIR."
}

## References

1. [Source](https://www.crunchbase.com/person/timnit-gebru)
2. [Source](https://www.forbes.com/sites/nvidia/2018/07/10/ai-innovators-how-one-woman-followed-her-passion-and-brought-diversity-to-ai/?sh=48537c87286d)
3. Mathematics Genealogy Project
4. [Source](http://ai.stanford.edu/~tgebru/)
5. [Source](https://theverge.com/2020/12/3/22150355/google-fires-timnit-gebru-facial-recognition-ai-ethicist)
6. [Source](https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2022/6177822/timnit-gebru/)
7. [Source](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-02d9060e-15dc-426c-bfe0-86a6437e5234)
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. [Google Researcher Says She Was Fired Over Paper Highlighting Bias in A.I.](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/03/technology/google-researcher-timnit-gebru.html)
10. Google Knowledge Graph
11. [Source](https://twitter.com/timnitGebru/status/1585845062923345920)
12. [Timnit Gebru (@timnitGebru@dair-community.social) - Distributed AI Research Community](https://dair-community.social/@timnitGebru)