In a recent announcement by the US Department of State, Dr. Rumman Chowdhury, a data scientist of Bangladeshi descent and Bengali American origin, has been chosen as one of the four scientists to serve as a US Science Envoy in 2024. Notably, she joins the inaugural all-female cohort in the history of the US Science Envoy Program.
Alongside Dr. Rumman Chowdhury, the three other scientists selected for the 2024 cohort are Dr. Stephanie “Steffi” Diem, Assistant Professor in Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison); Dr. Sian Proctor, a Geoscience Professor at the Maricopa Community Colleges, known for her work as an Afrofuturism Space Artist and her role as an Astronaut; and Dr. Dawn Wright, a geographer and oceanographer, who serves as Chief Scientist of the Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri) and as a Courtesy Professor at Oregon State University.
Established in 2010, the U.S. Science Envoy Program aims to utilize the knowledge and networks of distinguished American scientists and engineers to encourage international collaboration in addressing global challenges. Envoys, acting as private U.S. citizens, engage with civil society and government representatives worldwide to facilitate cooperation in science and technology.
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Dr. Rumman Chowdhury brings extensive experience and expertise to her new role, having previously served as the CEO of Humane Intelligence, a nonprofit focusing on assessing artificial intelligence (AI) models. Her past roles include Director of the Machine Learning Ethics, Transparency, and Accountability (META) team at Twitter, and Global Lead for Responsible AI at Accenture Applied Intelligence.
Dr. Rumman Chowdhury holds two undergraduate degrees from MIT, a Master of Science in Quantitative Methods of the Social Sciences from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. in political science from the University of California, San Diego. Her notable contributions to AI ethics and accountability have earned her recognition such as being named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in AI and inclusion in BBC’s list of 100 Women.
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As a U.S. Science Envoy, Dr. Rumman Chowdhury will focus on promoting international collaboration in Artificial Intelligence. She will work closely with government officials, civil society, and the scientific community to identify avenues for cooperation and advocate for ethical AI practices globally.
