Through the pioneering use of AI, advanced technology, and analytics, we combat illegal fishing and help rejuvenate our oceans, fulfilling the vision of our founder Paul G. Allen, the late philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder.
Skylight is based at the Allen Institute for AI (Ai2), a non-profit organization dedicated to conducting groundbreaking AI research and engineering in service of the common good. Skylight and the fight against illegal fishing benefit from the institute’s world-class expertise in AI.
For most countries, vast ocean sizes overwhelm resources for monitoring illegal fishing and maritime crimes. Recognizing the critical role of enforcement, Skylight addresses this gap by leveraging AI and big data, providing free, operationally relevant, and high-quality insights for under-resourced states and marine protected areas.
Namrata Kolla (Nam) leads the Skylight program at Ai2 (Allen Institute for AI). She has been working in the conservation space for over ten years, including in the nonprofit, private, and public sectors.
Before joining Ai2, Nam was a Data Scientist for the Mayor of Seattle, a Research Consultant for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and in various roles at The Nature Conservancy.
She received a Bachelor's in Earth & Atmospheric Sciences (focus on Oceanography) and a Bachelor's in Public Policy from the Georgia Institute of Technology. She later received a Master's in Public Administration from the University of Washington, with a focus on the application of data science to improve public service.
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