KOME IGBOGIDI

Judging Innovation on a Global Stage: My Experience as a Globee Awards Judge

When I received my first invitation to judge for the Globee Awards in 2024, I had no idea just how inspiring—and humbling—the experience would be. That year, I served as a judge for the Disruptors category, reviewing submissions from entrepreneurs, inventors, and trailblazers across the globe who were redefining industries with bold ideas and unconventional solutions. One year later, in 2025, I returned as a judge for the Artificial Intelligence category, diving even deeper into a space I’m passionate about—where technology meets impact at scale.

To say I was impressed would be an understatement. Both years, I had the honor of evaluating work that challenged the status quo, broke down long-standing barriers, and dared to ask: What if we did it differently?

In 2024, I reviewed entries under the Globee Awards for Disruptors—an international platform that highlights the courage and ingenuity of those who aren’t afraid to break away from tradition. From clean energy startups in emerging markets to healthtech platforms using mobile-first solutions to improve maternal care, the submissions showed me that disruption isn’t about noise. It’s about necessity—about seeing a gap and courageously creating something better.

Lesson learned: Disruption isn’t always about flashy tech—it’s about solving real problems in new ways. Simplicity, focus, and clear impact often stand out more than complex innovation.

By 2025, I was judging the Artificial Intelligence category—an area close to my heart as a product leader in GenAI experiences. This was a category filled with extraordinary talent: AI models improving cancer detection, platforms automating humanitarian relief logistics, and tools making education more accessible in underserved regions.

What struck me most was not just the technological sophistication, but the purpose behind the solutions. These weren’t just algorithms—they were missions, built by people who believed in technology’s power to create equity, efficiency, and access.

Lesson learned: The best AI projects aren’t just technically impressive—they are thoughtful. They center users, anticipate ethical concerns, and balance scale with responsibility.

Advice for Future Awardees

If you’re considering applying to a global awards platform like Globee, here are a few reflections from my judge’s desk:

1. Tell the Story, Not Just the Stats: Numbers matter—but so does the narrative. Judges want to understand why your solution exists, what makes it different, and who it helps.
   
2. Highlight Measurable Impact: What outcomes have you achieved? Be specific. Show how your product, strategy, or research has tangibly changed lives, processes, or industries.
   
3. Demonstrate Scalability or Sustainability: Awards aren’t just about what you’ve built—they’re about what’s possible next. What’s your vision for the future?
   
4. Be Authentic: The most powerful submissions are honest, transparent, and mission-driven. You don’t have to be perfect—you just have to be real.

Final Thoughts

Serving as a judge for the Globee Awards has deepened my admiration for global innovators. It reminded me that behind every great idea is a human story—of persistence, vision, and belief. It’s been a privilege to recognize that greatness on an international stage and to play a small role in celebrating the leaders building a more inclusive, intelligent, and inspired world.

To those considering submitting: share your work boldly. Your idea might be exactly what the world needs next.

Continuing the Dialogue from CSW69

The dawn of artificial intelligence (AI) presents unprecedented opportunities to advance sustainable development globally. As an advocate, leader, and grassroots development champion at DoTakeAction, my recent participation at the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) has further solidified my commitment to leveraging technology and innovation for meaningful impact.

At CSW69, global leaders, policy-makers, and activists came together with the shared vision of achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls through innovation, education, and technological advancement. In particular, conversations around digital innovation, AI ethics, and equitable technological access dominated the discussions. It became evident that if we aspire to realize Agenda 2030, strategic integration of AI into grassroots initiatives is essential.

Reflecting upon these insights, and my interactions at the UN Headquarters, it is clear that our journey towards the SDGs demands both global thinking and local actions. This perspective aligns perfectly with my role at DoTakeAction, where we consistently champion grassroots empowerment, advocacy, and local leadership to drive global change.

DoTakeAction has always stood at the forefront of sustainable change, rooted deeply in the belief that real impact begins locally. Our advocacy spans education, empowerment, economic equity, and innovation—pillars crucial to sustainable development. With our expansive global network, DoTakeAction leverages international platforms to amplify local voices, bridging global ideas and grassroots realities.

In my capacity as a Grassroots Development Champion at DO, I continuously advocate for increased adoption of AI-driven solutions, highlighting their potential to accelerate progress towards goals such as poverty alleviation, quality education, gender equality, and economic empowerment. Through strategic international engagements, workshops, and advocacy forums, we have successfully positioned DO as a key stakeholder in global conversations on digital innovation and sustainable practices.

To effect this, I am honored to lead collaborative engagements with the United Nations Association of the National Capital Territory (UNA-NCA) Young Professional Programs. Through this initiative, we aim to mobilize young global leaders—those poised to become tomorrow’s decision-makers—to recognize and embrace the transformative power of AI for sustainable development. The goal is to equip them not just to think globally, but to act effectively within their local contexts.

We are spearheading the “AI for Good” campaign, a comprehensive series of dialogue circles, workshops, and practical sessions designed to explore actionable strategies for implementing AI in grassroots community projects worldwide. Our approach prioritizes inclusivity, addressing critical barriers such as technology accessibility, capacity building, and ethical AI use.

The potential of AI technologies to create tangible impacts in grassroots communities cannot be overstated. AI-powered solutions can dramatically enhance agricultural productivity, educational accessibility, healthcare delivery, environmental protection, and gender equality initiatives—areas critical to achieving the SDGs. This aligns with our global mandate at DO to champion projects where AI is integrated thoughtfully and ethically, ensuring that benefits reach the most marginalized and vulnerable populations first.

For instance, through strategic collaborations, we have supported AI-driven educational programs aimed at empowering women and girls in rural communities, reducing barriers to digital literacy and economic empowerment. Similarly, in agricultural regions, AI has enhanced resource management and market accessibility for smallholder farmers, dramatically improving livelihoods and economic resilience.

Harnessing AI for Gender Equality: A Grassroots Approach to Global Action

In boardrooms and at the United Nations, the conversation around artificial intelligence is growing louder—but real impact begins far from these polished halls. It starts at the grassroots.

Over the past few years, I’ve had the privilege of working at the intersection of AI innovation and global development, advocating for technology to serve not just profit—but people. One of the most urgent areas where this alignment is needed is gender equality. As we work toward Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5), we must ask: How can we ensure AI helps close the gap, not widen it?

My journey into this question began not in a lab, but in communities—engaging women leaders, youth innovators, and policy advocates from around the world. Through my roles, I’ve witnessed firsthand how AI can be both a catalyst and a caution. The challenge is ensuring it’s used with intention.

AI has the power to identify patterns of inequality, highlight underserved communities, and automate services that expand access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunity. It can translate languages, detect biases in hiring, and personalize learning for girls in remote regions. But this potential will only be realized if we address one fundamental truth: AI reflects the people who build it.

Bias in data, underrepresentation in training sets, and exclusion in the design process often result in systems that fail to see or serve women. This isn’t just a technical issue—it’s a human one. And it’s why grassroots engagement matters.

Through workshops I’ve facilitated and panels I’ve led, I’ve found that some of the most powerful insights come from those furthest from the center of power. Women in rural communities, local nonprofits, educators, and entrepreneurs all bring a lived experience that’s essential to building better systems.

In one initiative, we explored how AI could support smallholder women farmers by predicting crop yields, connecting them to markets, and translating financial education into local dialects. In another, we brainstormed ways to use AI chatbots to offer discreet mental health support for women facing domestic violence in isolated regions.

The future of gender equality depends on more than AI literacy—it demands AI leadership. Women must not only be users of technology but designers, developers, and decision-makers at every level. As someone building AI experiences at the enterprise level while advocating for ethical, inclusive solutions globally, I believe in a dual mandate: build what’s cutting-edge, and ensure it serves those at the margins.

Because when we harness AI to serve equity—not just efficiency—we don’t just build smarter systems. We build a more just world. These are not moonshots—they are measurable, meaningful interventions that start with listening.