Dr. Aisha Walcott-Bryant

Dr. Aisha Walcott-Bryant, PhD, Head of Google Research Africa, whose leadership across Kenya and Ghana is unlocking AI-powered solutions for food security, healthcare, and smart mobility.

Dr. Walcott-Bryant earned her PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, focusing on autonomous robotics. While still a student, she taught computer science at the University of Ghana and helped establish West Africa’s first digital fabrication lab, equipped with tools like 3D printers to foster local innovation.

She later conducted smart mobility research in Barcelona before joining IBM Research Africa, where she led AI initiatives in water access, maternal health, and transportation systems.

Since joining Google in 2022, she has spearheaded the company’s agriculture-focused AI research - developing tools that empower smallholder farmers and policymakers to forecast crop health, optimize yields, and combat food insecurity.

Her contributions have earned her the Massachusetts Institute of Technology MLK Leadership Award and recognition among the “Top 50 Women in Robotics.”

By equipping farmers and policymakers with AI-driven tools, Dr. Walcott-Bryant is cultivating smarter practices that reinforce food security and nurture innovation across African communities.

Last updated: August 2025