ABOUT ANIKA
Anika Dugal is an 18-year-old activist for equitable artificial intelligence. She works in the intersection of gender justice, responsible tech, AI ethics, and legislation.
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She is the founder and president of Girls for Algorithmic Justice (GFAJ), the world's largest youth organization for gender equity in artificial intelligence. GFAJ currently has over 300 volunteers across 31 U.S. states and 8 countries, with chapters in 16 high schools. The organization’s programs have reached 3,500+ students globally. GFAJ has worked with the White House, U.S. Congress, United Nations, and more to create meaningful progress towards equitable AI.
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Anika previously served as a student advisor to Congressman Frank Pallone’s Civil Rights Committee, representing a district of 450,000+ students. She served on the High School Democrats of America’s inaugural National Gun Violence Prevention Taskforce and led over 10,000 members in advocating for gun violence prevention policy. Anika also authored the bestselling children’s book “Padma into Policy: Safe & Equitable AI” which provides an engaging way for youth to learn about tech policy.
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Anika also serves as the Executive Director of Leaders Across the World, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit connecting students to free global citizenship and leadership programs. LATW programs have engaged over 4,000 youth from 65+ countries. The organization has received over $20,000 in grant funding from Taco Bell, Ashoka, Riley's Way, and the Youth Direct Action Fund. The LATW Changemakers Across the World initiative has funded and incubated 100+ youth projects, from a Green Consumer Fair in Brazil to a tree planting event in Kazakhstan.
Anika’s work has been featured on the Today Show, Nasdaq, Yahoo News, Prudential billboard in Times Square, MSNBC, News12, and CBS. She has been recognized by President Biden, VP Kamala Harris, Governor Phil Murphy, Senator Corey Booker, and First Lady Jill Biden. She received a Letter of Commendation from the New Jersey State Legislature. She works closely with United Nations stakeholder groups, including serving in an advisory capacity at YOUNGO.
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Anika has been named a Coca-Cola Scholar, U.S. Senate Youth Delegate, AT&T National InspirASIAN Scholar, and Prudential Emerging Visionary. She was recognized as 1 of 6 students chosen to be the face of Mary Kay's 2023 #YoungWomeninSTEM campaign. Anika was also invited by President Biden to attend a State of the Union Reception at the White House. Anika is deeply passionate about building a future for artificial intelligence grounded in safety, equity, and attention to the needs of marginalized communities.
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Anika is an incoming freshman at Duke University, which she will be attending on the prestigious full-ride Angier B. Duke Scholarship. Anika will be studying Computer Science and Public Policy, with a minor in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning.
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