Yonah Welker

Yonah Welker is a technologist and public expert whose work focuses on the intersection of algorithms, emerging technologies, and policy, with an emphasis on advancing human capacity and advocating for designated groups and spectrums. Welker's expertise includes the development of algorithms and policies related to social and human-centered artificial intelligence, robotics, emerging learning, work, health, and city solutions, particularly for individuals with cognitive and neurodisabilities.

Welker's career in technology spans two decades and began with the founding of a hardware-focused think tank. Welker has co-founded the Hardwaretech think tank, co-created technology ventures and projects, served as an entrepreneur and innovator in residence, and acted as an evaluator and expert for technology transfer and innovation ecosystems in EMEA/APAC and North America, including work with funds, authorities, and projects funded by the European Commission. Welker has contributed to technology startups and labs, facilitated technology ecosystems and projects across the European Union, North America, APAC, and MENA, and evaluated technologies and solutions in both public and private innovation ecosystems. Welker has also guided and evaluated young technology and AI inventors, Ashoka and United Nations fellows, and talent from organizations such as Google, Singularity University, 500 Startups, Techstars, MassChallenge, and alumni of MIT, Harvard, Stanford, and Oxford.

A key focus of Welker's work is inclusive, human-centered artificial intelligence, particularly as it relates to individuals often overlooked by mainstream algorithmic systems. Welker examines algorithmic categorizations through the lens of designated groups, including individuals with facial asymmetry, varied gestures, communication, speech and action patterns, and those with impairments and disabilities, with a focus on human-centricity and safety. This work involves co-creating emerging technologies and algorithms, screening and evaluating projects, and contributing to national, public, and private initiatives, as well as providing input to repositories and frameworks. Welker has served as an advisor to ministries and authorities on AI and data and as a visiting lecturer.

Welker has made more than 100 appearances and published commentary to raise awareness of social technologies and policies. Contributions have been featured in acts, reports, and frameworks by the White House PCAST, World Economic Forum, OECD, UNESCO, and WHO, and have supported AI and Digital Acts, intergovernmental treaties, and ontologies of assistive systems across artificial intelligence, robotics, health, education, and accessibility programs. Welker has spoken at global events including DeepFest, the AI Act Summit in the UK, the GenAI Summit, and the Women in Tech Global Conference, providing a practitioner's perspective on issues in AI governance and ethics.