Sara Hooker: Pioneering Leadership at the Intersection of AI and Society
4/10/25, 6:00 AM
In a rapidly evolving field where breakthroughs are measured not only by technological leaps but also by the real‐world impact on communities, Sara Hooker has emerged as a leader who combines technical expertise with a strong commitment to ethical and inclusive AI. As the Vice President of Research and the head of Cohere For AI—a nonprofit research lab operating as the research arm of the enterprise AI startup Cohere—Hooker is steering the conversation around responsible innovation, democratized access, and the social implications of artificial intelligence.
A Journey of Diverse Experiences
Sara Hooker’s story is as unique as it is inspiring. Born in Dublin, Ireland, and raised across several African countries including Mozambique, South Africa, and Kenya, she grew up with an understanding of the diverse perspectives that shape our global society. Her international upbringing instilled in her a deep sensitivity to the underrepresentation of talent and languages in the tech world—a realization that would later drive her work in making AI more accessible to everyone.
Before joining Cohere, Hooker honed her craft at world-renowned institutions such as Google Brain and DeepMind. During her time as a research scientist, she contributed to projects that focused on model efficiency and ethical AI practices. Yet, it was her decision to branch out and engage with broader societal implications that set her apart. In 2014, she founded Delta Analytics—a nonprofit initiative aimed at empowering communities and supporting organizations with data science capabilities. This early venture signposted her lifelong commitment to making high‐tech accessible and beneficial for everyone, regardless of geography or economic background.
Leading with a Vision for Inclusive AI
Since stepping into her role at Cohere For AI in June 2022, Sara Hooker has demonstrated a visionary leadership style that transcends conventional boundaries of research. Under her guidance, the lab has not only embraced advanced machine learning research but has also prioritized collaboration, open science, and ethical practices.
One of the lab’s flagship initiatives is the Aya project—a multilingual language model and dataset assembled in collaboration with more than 3,000 researchers worldwide. Aya is a testament to Hooker’s commitment to bridging the language divide in AI. By focusing on building models that support more than 100 languages, including many that are underrepresented in traditional data sets, she is spearheading efforts to make AI accessible across cultural and linguistic barriers. This work is crucial in a world where language is the cornerstone of communication and knowledge sharing, and it ensures that innovations in artificial intelligence benefit communities that have long been left on the margins.
Championing Open Science and Collaboration
For Hooker, the measure of an innovation’s success is how widely it can be shared and built upon. Her leadership style is deeply collaborative—she fosters a research environment that values open exchange and collective learning. At Cohere For AI, researchers and independent scientists are given access to state-of-the-art tools and subsidized computing power through initiatives like the Cohere For AI Research Grants Program. This approach not only accelerates progress but also creates a community where ideas flow freely and breakthroughs are accessible to anyone with the passion to contribute.
Moreover, Hooker sits on influential advisory boards such as Kaggle’s ML Advisory Research Board and the World Economic Forum’s council on the Future of Artificial Intelligence. In these roles, she advocates for responsible AI governance and works to shape policies that prioritize public welfare alongside technological innovation. By aligning her work with larger global objectives, she emphasizes that the future of AI should be built on transparency, ethical practices, and a deep understanding of its societal impact.
Balancing Efficiency, Fairness, and Ethical Considerations
One of the recurring themes in Sara Hooker’s career is the notion that technological progress must be accompanied by a sense of responsibility toward society. While many pioneers in the field focus on scaling models and squeezing out ever-more performance, Hooker is equally concerned about the ethical trade-offs and unintended consequences that may arise. Her research at Cohere For AI includes efforts to improve the interpretability of machine learning models, ensuring that they are not only efficient but also fair and transparent. This balanced approach helps lower the risk of bias and misuse—a concern that has become increasingly prominent as AI systems are deployed in high-stakes scenarios worldwide.
Hooker has been candid about the weight of responsibility that comes with her work. In interviews, she explains that the global reach of AI means that every innovation has the potential to affect lives far beyond the confines of a research lab. “Our work is not just used in conference centers anymore. It’s used all over the world,” she has remarked. This awareness underpins her commitment to ethical practices and shapes her vision of an AI future that benefits society as a whole.
Recognitions and Industry Impact
The impact of Sara Hooker’s leadership is widely acknowledged within the industry. In 2024, she was named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in AI—a recognition reserved for those who not only drive technological advances but also influence the broader narrative around AI’s role in society. Along with accolades from Fortune and other prestigious institutions, this recognition is a testament to her capability in melding innovative research with strategic leadership.
Beyond awards, her work is transforming how AI is perceived and utilized in real-world applications. By championing initiatives like the Aya project and fostering an ecosystem of open scientific collaboration, Hooker has positioned Cohere For AI as a trailblazer in creating models that are not only technically robust but also socially responsible. Such efforts ensure that as AI continues to expand its impact—from powering enterprise solutions to driving advancements in health and education—it does so with a keen awareness of the diverse needs of a global populace.
Navigating the Challenges of Modern AI
The rapid pace of AI development brings with it a host of challenges, ranging from issues of bias and fairness to environmental impacts from intensive computational processes. Sara Hooker’s approach to tackling these challenges is multifaceted. While she and her team work to optimize the efficiency and performance of large language models, they are equally driven to minimize the environmental footprint of these technologies. By developing training techniques that require less computational power, Cohere For AI contributes to a more sustainable approach to artificial intelligence.
Importantly, Hooker insists that progress in AI should never come at the cost of the values we hold dear. In her view, it is imperative that research in artificial intelligence be conducted responsibly, taking into account not just what machines can do but also how they influence our everyday lives. This holistic approach serves as a guiding principle for her team and creates a culture where scientific progress goes hand in hand with social responsibility.
A Leader Who Inspires Change
Perhaps one of Sara Hooker’s most enduring legacies will be her ability to inspire the next generation of AI researchers and leaders. Her career serves as a roadmap for those who wish to pursue a path in technology without losing sight of the broader human context. By actively engaging with communities through non-profit work, advisory boards, and mentoring programs, she demonstrates that leadership in AI is not solely about technical excellence—it is also about empathy, inclusiveness, and the courage to challenge the status quo.
Her open and approachable demeanor makes her a role model for aspiring data scientists and engineers, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. In a field that has historically been dominated by a narrow segment of society, her commitment to diversifying talent and amplifying unheard voices is a breath of fresh air. She is not just leading research; she is shaping a more inclusive future for AI.
Looking Ahead: A Future of Responsible Innovation
As we stand at the cusp of another era in artificial intelligence, the importance of responsible leadership cannot be overstated. Under Sara Hooker’s guidance, Cohere For AI is not only advancing the technical frontiers of machine learning but also ensuring that these advances are harmonized with ethical, social, and environmental considerations. Her work is a reminder that innovation, when guided by empathy and a commitment to the greater good, can lead to profound and positive societal transformations.
In a world where technology increasingly shapes every aspect of our lives, leaders like Sara Hooker are essential. They provide a counterbalance to the relentless pursuit of performance metrics and remind us that behind every algorithm and dataset lies a human story. Her leadership is a call to all in the industry: to build technologies that empower, to innovate responsibly, and to remain ever mindful of the broader impact on society.
Sara Hooker’s leadership and impact in the AI field resonate deeply with the mission of HerWILL. As a trailblazer in AI, she not only exemplifies the power of innovation but also inspires women and youth from diverse backgrounds to pursue careers in technology. Through her work, Sara showcases the importance of diverse perspectives in shaping the future of AI. Her commitment to ethical, inclusive, and accessible AI aligns with HerWILL’s dedication to empowering women globally. As a role model, Sara inspires the next generation of women leaders in AI, encouraging them to embrace challenges and lead with purpose. At HerWILL, we are proud to celebrate her achievements and the lasting impact she is making in tech.
Sara Hooker stands at the forefront of AI leadership in an era defined by rapid technological change and deep societal impact. Through her work at Cohere For AI, she has championed a vision of AI that is efficient, inclusive, and ethically grounded—a vision that is rapidly reshaping the landscape of machine learning research. Her efforts to democratize access to AI, foster open scientific collaboration, and address the ethical dimensions of technology serve as both an inspiration and a challenge to the entire tech community. As we look to the future, it is clear that the path forward in artificial intelligence will require the kind of thoughtful, responsible leadership that Sara Hooker so passionately embodies.
Whether you are a seasoned researcher, a tech enthusiast, or someone simply curious about the future of AI, the story of Sara Hooker offers valuable insights into how innovation can be steered for the collective benefit of society. By bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and real-world impact, she is not only changing how we think about AI—but also who gets to participate in its creation and use.