Ricardo Matsumura De Araujo
Ricardo Matsumura De Araujo
Explain what you do in 7 words
Advance AI for social impact and development.
Where you’re from, and where you are now?
Born and raised in the city of Pelotas, Brazil, where I am as I write this.
What you were doing before joining UNICEF?
I spent many years in academia as a professor doing AI research, followed by work as an AI consultant and co-founder of a startup.
What has been your biggest success in your role at UNICEF?
I just joined UNICEF, but helping build a couple of innovative AI applications has been a highlight so far. That, and memorizing a surprisingly large number of acronyms.
What was your dream job when you were a child?
As a child, I wanted to be a designer or an astronomer. But once I was introduced to computers, I couldn't see myself doing anything else -- even if at the time I had no idea how “playing with computers” could become a real job.
What is your hidden skill / talent?
Whatever it is, it’s hidden even from me. I hope it’s something cool like knowing how to say something funny at the end of answers.