Gitanjali Rao
2005– — USA
Era: Modern
Brilliance: 7/10 | Stewardship: 8/10 | Composite Index: 56
TIME's first Kid of the Year. Inventor and science advocate.
"We're living in an age where technology is advancing so rapidly that we need more and more innovators. If we want to fix the world, we need to get young people, especially girls and kids of color, interested in STEM."
Biography
Gitanjali Rao is an IndianAmerican inventor and STEM advocate who became TIME's first Kid of the Year in 2020 at age 15. She developed Tethis, an AIpowered device to detect lead contamination in drinking water, addressing a critical public health crisis. Through her work and advocacy, she has inspired millions of young people globally to pursue science and technology as tools for social change.
Key Facts
- Developed Tethis, a device using artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect lead in water within minutes
- Named TIME's first Kid of the Year in 2020, beating out thousands of nominees
- Founded Project Inspire to mentor and empower young innovators from underrepresented communities in STEM
- Has appeared on major media platforms including The Tonight Show, TED, and Forbes to discuss youth innovation
- Speaks internationally about the importance of diversity in tech and making science accessible to all young people
15-year-old invents water-testing AI that could save millions from lead poisoning.
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