If you have been up-to-date with the news from the technology field, then the news of Betelhem Dessie from Ethiopia is hard to miss! She is only 20, but has already revolutionized the field of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) in Ethiopia!
Ethiopia has one of the lowest GDPs per capita in the world. The economy is mostly agriculture based, but the new advancements in science and techology is setting a new path towards development. Betelhem Dessie is one of the youngest pioneers in the field of robotics in Ethiopia.
Who is Betelhem Dessie? What are her contributions?
Her journey began when she was just 9 years old. She made use of equipments around her and earned her first paycheck as well. Now, at the age of 20, she is one of the leading pioneers in the tech industry. She is project manager at iCog Labs, which was established in 2013. Betelhem also played an important role in the creation of Sophia the robot!
She already has numerous software patents under her belt. At iCog Labs, she looks over “Solve IT”, a section which works with the youth to find solutions for community-based problems.
Not only this, she has also travelled all over the country conducting workshops for the youth. The workshops focused on innovation programs and teaching the students how to code. The workshops have reached more than 20,000 young people in her country.
Currently, she is looking for funding for her ‘Sophia School Bus’ project. This project will go around Ethiopia to create awareness about science and technology by using Sophia as a brand. It will be equipped with laptops, 3D printers and other modern paraphernalia which will introduce people to the gadgets and their uses.