Fei-Fei Li On Curiosity, Audacity, And The Quest For Artificial Intelligence

Fei-Fei Li, known as the “Godmother of AI,” is one of the pioneering researchers in the field of spatial intelligence. A professor of computer science at Stanford University, she invented ImageNet, which is today widely regarded as one of the driving forces behind the development of modern AI and the deep learning revolution. 

For Only in America, Li speaks with world-renowned historian Stephen Kotkin about her educational journey and how it shaped her path to computer science and entrepreneurship. Drawing from her experience as co-founder and CEO of World Labs, she explains how “world models” will extend the promise of generative artificial intelligence to new and consequential domains.  

Li and Kotkin also discuss the importance of truth-seeking and civic responsibility; the role of curiosity in science; and how the United States can best prepare to meet the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. 

ABOUT THE GUEST

Dr. Fei-Fei Li is the inaugural Sequoia Professor in the Computer Science Department at Stanford University, and a Founding Co-Director of Stanford’s Human-Centered AI Institute. She served as the Director of Stanford’s AI Lab from 2013 to 2018. 

In industry, Dr. Li has served as a Vice President at Google and Chief Scientist of AI/ML at Google Cloud (2017-2018), and as a board member or advisor in various public or private companies (notably Twitter). She is currently a Co-founder/CEO of World Labs, an AI company focusing on Spatial Intelligence and generative AI.

Dr. Li obtained her B.A. degree in physics from Princeton in 1999 with High Honors, and her PhD degree in electrical engineering from California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in 2005. She has been recognized as the Distinguished Alumna by both Princeton and Caltech in 2020 and 2024, respectively. Dr. Li also holds Honorary Doctorate Degrees from Yale University and Harvey Mudd College.

Dr. Li is widely recognized as a pioneer of modern AI. She is an elected Member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAAS). She is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR).