Meet Fei-Fei Li, the 49-year-old Chinese-American AI scientist who built a 15-million-image dataset and transformed computer vision

Artificial intelligence has developed through the work of researchers who have helped machines recognize, interpret and know the world. Among them is Fei-Fei Li, a Chinese-American AI scientist popular for foundational contributions to computer vision and for her growing impact in AI research, entrepreneurship and policy.

From Computer Vision to World Labs

Popular in technology circles as the "Godmother of AI," Li had a foundational role in developing AI image-recognition systems in the 2000s. Her work helped enhance the deep-learning revolution like the creation of a 15-million-image dataset that became significant to computer vision research.

Li is currently co-director of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI. Her work has extended from technical research into questions in AI governance and the future of the technology.


In 2024, Li founded World Labs, a San Francisco-based AI company concentrated on software for three-dimensional environments. In September that year, Li and three colleagues raised $230 million for the organization from investors like Geoffrey Hinton.

AMD’s Planned Acquisition of World Labs

AMD announced an agreement to get World Labs, with the transaction anticipated to close by the end of 2026. Under the agreement, Li will become AMD’s executive vice president and chief scientist and report directly to CEO Lisa Su.

Tech analyst Patrick Moorhead explained the transaction as mainly focused on talent and model expertise rather than rapid revenue.

"This is a talent and model-insight buy, not a revenue play. AMD gets the people building the models its future chips will have to run. Fei-Fei made the case from her side: 'Without having a focused hardware effort, AI is hobbled in efficiency,'" Moorhead stated.

AI Research and Policy

Li has also participated in AI policy discussions. After Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed California’s SB 1047, he tapped Li to co-author a report on AI policy. The report provided research-informed advice about transparency, independent oversight and whistleblower protections.

Senator Scott Wiener said he was considering factors of the report for new AI legislation.

In February, Li won the 2025 Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, adding another significant recognition to a career spanning computer vision, AI research, entrepreneurship and technology.

Source: TIME and Yahoo Finance