Name: Fei-Fei Li (Chinese: 李飞飞)
Role:
Sequoia Capital Professor of Computer Science at Stanford University; Co-Director of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI); Founder of AI4ALL; Former Chief Scientist of AI/ML at Google Cloud.
Net Worth:
As of March 2025, Fei-Fei Li’s net worth is estimated at $58.8 million.
Profile Overview:
Fei-Fei Li is a Chinese-American computer scientist, entrepreneur, and educator widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in artificial intelligence (AI). Known as the “Godmother of AI,” she is celebrated for her pioneering work in computer vision, including the creation of ImageNet, a dataset that revolutionized AI research. She has held leadership roles in academia and industry, including serving as the Chief Scientist of AI/ML at Google Cloud and directing Stanford’s AI Lab. A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in STEM, she co-founded AI4ALL to inspire underrepresented groups to pursue careers in AI.
Bio:
Born on July 3, 1976, in Beijing, China, Fei-Fei Li immigrated to the United States with her family at the age of 16. She attended Princeton University, where she graduated with a B.A. in Physics with High Honors in 1999. She later earned her Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in 2005.
Li began her academic career as a faculty member at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and later Princeton University before joining Stanford University in 2009. At Stanford, she became the Director of the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (SAIL) from 2013 to 2018 and currently serves as Co-Director of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI).
In addition to her academic achievements, Li served as Vice President at Google and Chief Scientist of AI/ML for Google Cloud during her sabbatical from Stanford (2017–2018). During this time, she worked on integrating AI into enterprise solutions and promoting ethical AI practices.
Li is best known for creating ImageNet and organizing the ImageNet Challenge. This large-scale dataset and benchmarking initiative catalyzed advancements in deep learning and computer vision, laying the groundwork for modern AI applications. In 2024, she co-founded World Labs, a startup focused on developing “spatial intelligence” AI technology to understand the three-dimensional physical world.
Fei-Fei Li’s Role in Artificial Intelligence:
Fei-Fei Li has been instrumental in advancing artificial intelligence research and its ethical application. Her creation of ImageNet marked a turning point in computer vision by enabling deep neural networks to achieve unprecedented accuracy in image recognition tasks. This breakthrough significantly contributed to the rise of deep learning technologies used today.
Li’s leadership extends beyond research; she is a prominent advocate for human-centered AI that prioritizes societal well-being. At Stanford HAI, she works on integrating ethical considerations into AI development while exploring applications in healthcare and education. Through her nonprofit organization AI4ALL, she has inspired thousands of students from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in AI.
Li also plays an advisory role on global policy issues related to technology. In 2023, she was appointed to the United Nations Scientific Advisory Board to guide responsible AI deployment worldwide.
Nationality:
Chinese-American
Age:
48 years old (as of March 20, 2025).
Educational Qualification:
- Bachelor’s Degree: Physics with High Honors from Princeton University (1999).
- Ph.D.: Electrical Engineering from California Institute of Technology (Caltech) (2005).
- Honorary Doctorate: Harvey Mudd College.
Sources of Wealth:
- Stanford University: Academic leadership roles and research.
- Google Cloud: Industry contributions as Chief Scientist.
- World Labs: Co-founder of spatial intelligence startup.
- AI4ALL: Nonprofit organization promoting diversity in STEM.
- Publications & Speaking Engagements: Over 300 scientific articles and keynote addresses at global forums.
Random Fact:
Fei-Fei Li’s book The Worlds I See: Curiosity, Exploration and Discovery at the Dawn of AI, published in 2023, provides insights into her personal journey and vision for artificial intelligence. Fei-Fei Li’s contributions to artificial intelligence have not only advanced technological frontiers but also emphasized ethical development and inclusivity. Her work continues to inspire innovation while addressing critical societal challenges through human-centered AI approaches.
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