I picture myself as the letter T-deeply rooted in one vertical, yet stretching horizontally across many. That vertical? Africa's voice in the global AI Safety dialogue. The horizontal? An intellectually curious explorer at the crossroads of society and technology.

I'm not here as an expert, but as someone deeply concerned. Concerned that as AI systems reshape our world, Africa's perspectives, values, and young voices remain absent from critical conversations about safety, alignment, and governance. My journey began in STEM, but pivoted when I realized building isn't enough, we need that policy expert who understand what's possible in technology.

Through the Turkiye Burslari Scholarship, I'm studying Political Science and Public Administration at Hacettepe University, learning governance frameworks to complement technical knowledge I am building. As an Encode Africa Regional Lead, I'm privileged to be building AI Safety capacity in the African diaspora through community, effective programing, and dialogue. Feeling firsthand the hunger among African youth to understand AI Safety, I'm committed to guiding students toward impactful career pathways in essential but neglected fields.