What once felt experimental in Generative AI is now becoming the norm. From content creation to scientific research, from automating workflows to enhancing customer experiences—GenAI is no longer just a tech trend. It’s a catalyst reshaping how we work, learn, and create. And behind every smart tool or clever model are the people who make it all possible.
These are the scientists designing intelligent systems, the leaders championing AI adoption across industries, and the community members who uplift others through education, mentorship, and open knowledge. In a field moving at breakneck speed, their contributions often go uncelebrated. The AV Luminary Awards were created to change that.
Now returning for their third edition at DataHack Summit 2025, the AV Luminary Awards are once again shining a light on those who are leading AI forward—with impact, purpose, and creativity. Nominations are now officially open.
Why These Awards Matter
The AV Luminary Awards are more than just accolades—they are a celebration of meaningful impact in the age of artificial intelligence. As AI becomes more deeply embedded in our world, the need to recognize people behind the progress becomes increasingly vital.
These awards honor the individuals whose work isn’t just technically brilliant but socially significant. Whether they're solving real-world problems with machine learning or creating inclusive communities for AI learners, the AV Luminaries exemplify leadership that’s both visionary and values-driven.
AV Luminary Award Categories 2025
This year, the awards are organized across three key categories, spotlighting excellence from research to real-world application and community-building.
1. Top 10 GenAI Scientists
Celebrating pioneers and innovators advancing the field of Generative AI through cutting-edge research, novel architectures, or impactful publications. These are the minds behind the algorithms shaping tomorrow.
2. Top 10 GenAI Leaders
These are the strategic thinkers, entrepreneurs, and C-suite executives driving GenAI adoption in business and society. Their leadership transforms AI potential into real-world value across sectors like healthcare, finance, education, and more.
3. Top 10 Community Contributors
Open-source champions, educators, mentors, and grassroots organizers—this category recognizes those who make AI more accessible, equitable, and collaborative. They are the heart of the AI learning ecosystem.
Why You Should Participate
Whether you’re nominating a peer, mentor, or yourself, participating in the AV Luminary Awards is a chance to:
- Celebrate Impact: Shine a spotlight on important work that might otherwise go unnoticed.
- Amplify Voices: Help elevate underrepresented or emerging contributors in AI.
- Inspire Others: Share stories that encourage the next generation of AI builders and thinkers.
- Build Connections: Engage with a growing global network of innovators and changemakers.
If you believe in AI with purpose, this is your moment to recognize the people making it happen.
What Impact Looked Like in 2024
Before we look ahead, it's worth pausing to reflect on the transformative year that was 2024:
- Breakthroughs in Multi-Modal AI pushed GenAI beyond text to create with image, video, and audio at scale.
- Enterprise adoption surged, with Fortune 500 companies integrating GenAI into operations, customer service, and product development.
- Open-source communities flourished, producing powerful, transparent models that democratized access to state-of-the-art AI.
- AI education boomed, with a new wave of creators and researchers entering the space thanks to platforms, courses, and community-driven learning.
Many of the contributors behind these shifts were past AV Luminary Award winners—and 2025 promises even more stories worth celebrating.
The AV Luminary Awards 2025 remind us that at the core of every AI revolution is human ingenuity. In a world being rapidly reshaped by technology, these awards reaffirm the value of purpose-driven innovation and community-focused progress.
Whether you're a builder, a leader, or a supporter, your voice matters. Join us in recognizing those who are not just riding the AI wave—but steering it with integrity and impact.
Nominations are open now.-https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdS979xJd8WeIT0XXTvswohPshiut0Ghomb_efK2E_DEUOqVw/viewform
Let’s celebrate the people shaping the future of AI—one breakthrough, one initiative, one community at a time.