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In the Spotlight - Meet Cristina Zaga
At Women in AI, we like to inspire by showcasing female role models who are making a difference in AI. By celebrating their successes, we aim to empower women in the AI community, and motivate more girls and women to get into STEM-related fields. In our series In the Spotlight, we shine a light on experts in the field. Today, we’d like you to meet Cristina Zaga.
Author: Johanna Mvumbi.
Who is Cristina?
In an age where artificial intelligence and automation are rapidly reshaping society, Cristina stands at the forefront, combining technology and humanity with a vision rooted in justice, care, and solidarity. As an Assistant Professor in the Human-Centered Design group at the University of Twente’s DesignLab, Cristina’s work challenges traditional boundaries and encourages a deeper look into how AI and robotics impact society—particularly in the worlds of work and care. Through innovative, transdisciplinary methodologies, Cristina is looking to develop what she calls “Responsible Futuring,”: a practice aimed at tackling societal challenges with a blend of design justice, speculative approaches, and inclusive, more-than-human design.
“AI should not only serve the powerful or the privileged; it should work to support justice, equity, and care in our societies,” Cristina says, reflecting on the ethos of her approach.
Cristina’s academic journey is marked by a dual master’s degree in Cognitive Science and Human-Media Interaction, as well as a Ph.D. in Computer Science—both awarded cum laude. Her expertise in human-AI interaction and critical design has garnered her a position as an editor for scholarly journals and organizations including ACM THRI and ACM SigCHI, as well as a regular organizer of workshops at top conferences like CSCW, HRI, and DIS. This broad engagement underscores Cristina’s commitment to bridging academic innovation with societal need.
Forging connections
Cristina is not just advancing AI research; she is actively reshaping it to serve as a force for societal connection and equity. She has spearheaded initiatives like JEDAI (Justice, Equity, Diversity in AI) and the DEI4Embodied AI network, both of which confront the dehumanizing risks of unchecked AI advancement. By championing social and environmental justice through AI, Cristina has established herself as an influential voice in the field, leading her to being invited to deliver keynote speeches worldwide. Her efforts have been recognised with awards such as the NWO Science Prize for DEI initiatives and the Dutch High Education Award, both in 2022, and the Google Women Techmaker Award in 2018. Cristina’s emphasis on justice and inclusion within AI has paved the way for systemic recognition of the importance of diverse, equitable, and responsible tech development.
"It’s not enough for these technologies to be advanced; they need to be aligned with the kind of society we want to live in."
Creating and nurturing networks
At the crux of Cristina’s mission is a belief in the power of networks—both within academia and beyond. The DEI4EAI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Embodied AI) initiative, a collective supported by the Netherlands’ four technical universities, exemplifies this approach. As the project’s leader, Cristina works to make the development and policy around embodied AI inclusive and diverse, leveraging a transdisciplinary approach that brings together a wide range of stakeholders, from local activists to industry representatives.
“Our collective action is built on the idea that we can shape a future where AI respects human dignity, inclusivity, and solidarity,” Cristina explains. “It’s not enough for these technologies to be advanced; they need to be aligned with the kind of society we want to live in.”
Under her guidance, the DEI4EAI collective has organized workshops, reaching over 200 participants and producing open-access resources that are freely available to both the academic and wider communities. The group’s work, which culminated in an open-access booklet, syllabus, and video series, has been widely lauded. These resources serve as practical tools, supporting both critical and creative engagement with embodied AI across sectors.
Ignited by the success of DEI4EAI, Cristina and her team are now laying the groundwork for a new initiative: the JEDAI network. This national project aims to connect and mobilize communities around the intersections of AI with care, work, and democracy. Through partnerships with local activists, associations, and academics, the network will foster practical applications for justice, equity, and diversity within AI systems.
Bridging the gap
At the center of Cristina’s work is her emphasis on shifting away from computational reductionism and rigid, policy-driven approaches. Instead, her projects make use of a grassroots, bottom-up strategy that emphasizes experiential, hands-on methods for engaging with AI. This approach enables diverse participants to explore the ethical implications of AI and envision alternative futures collaboratively. By facilitating critical dialogue and creative exploration, Cristina’s work addresses societal divides, nurturing empathy and trust among participants and promoting justice in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Through her pioneering initiatives, Cristina not only shapes AI’s future but also cultivates a new generation of thinkers who see technology as a tool for positive societal transformation. Her work stands as a proof to the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and the pursuit of a more inclusive, humane, and just technological landscape.
With over a decade of experience working with data and machine learning in diverse
Due to her amazing efforts, Cristine has become a part of the top 5 Nominees of AI Diversity Leader Award of the Women in AI Benelux Awards. The Women in AI Awards celebrates remarkable women who contribute to shaping the future of AI. Their expertise and unique perspectives are driving innovation.
Women like Caroline are committed to leading the future of AI. Would you like to learn more about the Award nominees and what they have done? Join us on November 15 from 13:30 to 20:00 at the Women in AI Summit, where our Top 5 nominees will, officially, be presented. The event will celebrate 30 outstanding women in AI who are making a significant impact across the Benelux region.