i am sassa

Gitanjali Rao is a scientist, inventor, and innovator. At only fifteen years old, she has created an app that uses AI to help teach young people about cyber bullying in a way that puts them in control. It’s called Kindly, and once installed, it can detect messages that might be considered bullying and can alert the sender and give them time to reconsider their message. She said she made this with the understanding that teens can be hot headed and reactionary. I LOVE this idea, because it isn’t punitive. It doesn’t use the term “bully” like a label that is only for bad kids. Instead, it shows young people that anyone is capable of saying hurtful things or acting like a bully, and it gives them a heads up and a choice rather than micromanaging them.

Gitanjali is also working on technology that can easily detect harmful substances in drinking water, as well as a way to diagnose opioid addiction early. She has so many brilliant ideas she’s pursuing, but has still managed to make time to teach others. She’s created lesson plans and workshops for young people and partnered with schools and museums to mentor over 30,000 students.

This year, Gitanjali was named Time Magazine’s first ever Kid of the Year. She was chosen from over 5,000 nominations. I can’t wait to see what she is able to make and inspire others to make in her lifetime.

Thank you, Gitanjali.