A research and scientific leader in Artificial Intelligence, Alessandra is the Sr. Director of AI and Data Science at Shutterstock. She brings more than 18 years of experience across academic and commercial environments, with deep expertise in generative AI, machine learning, and computational modelling. A globally recognized voice in responsible and inclusive AI, Alessandra chairs the AI and Multimedia Authenticity Collaboration, convening IEC, ISO, ITU, to advance a coordinated response to protect information integrity and combat deepfake technologies. As Co-Chair of UNESCO’s Women for Ethical AI Platform, she works with an international community of leaders to promote ethical AI and strengthen diversity, inclusion, and equality for women and underrepresented groups. Alessandra also serves as Global President of Women in AI, a nonprofit global organization dedicated to building gender-inclusive AI that benefits society. In this role, she leads a community spanning 150 countries and empowers women and minorities to become AI and data experts, innovators, and leaders. She further contributes her governance expertise as Chair of the Governance Committee at the Science Foundation Ireland Centre for Research Training in Machine Learning. Her leadership and impact have been recognized through numerous international honours, including STEM Professional of the Year at the 2026 IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards, the 2025 Women of Europe Award in the Women in STEM category, the 2024 Grace Hopper Award, and the 2021 XV International “Le Tecnovisionarie” Prize in the AI–Industrial Research category. In her previous role Alessandra was Head of Analytics Research at Nokia Bell Labs where she led research teams in multiple international locations while driving changes across different activities, such as her contributions to the Nokia AI Ethics Advisory Board.
