What once felt experimental in GenAI is now becoming the norm. It is shaping how we work, learn, and create. It’s solving real problems, helping businesses grow, and opening up new ways to innovate. But behind every smart tool or clever model are ultimately people, builders, thinkers, and visionaries who make it all possible.
These are the scientists designing smart systems, the leaders integrating AI across industries, and the community members helping others learn and grow. In a space that is changing fast, their work often speaks louder than their names.
And this forms the central idea behind the inception of the AV Luminary Awards. Returning for their 3rd edition at DataHack Summit 2025, these awards shine a light on the individuals pushing AI forward. Since their launch, the awards have grown into a space to honour people who lead with impact, purpose, and creativity.
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Why These Awards Matter?
Not everyone shaping AI is in the spotlight. Many are quietly solving tough problems, sharing their work, and guiding others. The AV Luminary Awards help give those efforts the recognition that they truly deserve.
This isn’t just about titles but about real impact. The impact that comes from building models that solve real-world problems, to helping teams and communities understand how to use GenAI efficiently, safely, and responsibly. These awards are a recognition of effort, intent, influence, and where inspiration meets achievement.
AV Luminary Award Categories 2025
Generative AI is evolving fast, and so are the people behind it. This year, the AV Luminary Awards will celebrate individuals making a difference across three key areas of the GenAI space. Whether you’re building innovative technologies, leading strategic transformations, or nurturing communities, there’s a category that recognizes your unique contribution.
Top 10 GenAI Scientists
This category honors the technical minds behind GenAI innovations. If you’re designing cutting-edge models, conducting impactful research, or solving real-world challenges using GenAI, this is your opportunity to shine. It is for practitioners who push the boundaries of what’s possible while blending technical skill with real-world application.
Top 10 GenAI Leaders
This award is for changemakers within organizations, individuals who are driving GenAI adoption at scale. It recognizes professionals shaping strategy, aligning AI with business goals, and integrating responsible, visionary AI practices across teams and verticals. If you’re guiding others through this transformation, your leadership deserves the spotlight.
Top 10 Community Contributors
Progress in AI is a shared journey and some individuals go above and beyond to ensure others grow with it. This category celebrates those who teach, mentor, share knowledge, or build communities. Whether you’re active in open-source, hosting workshops, or creating content that helps others learn, your contributions are vital and power the ecosystem’s future.
Why You Should Participate?
A nomination at the AV Luminary Awards isn’t limited to just recognition. It is more about stepping into a larger narrative. It’s a chance to be seen, heard, and connected to a growing network of AI professionals making a real impact, just like yourself.
Amplify Your Work: Your ideas and contributions deserve a platform. Being recognized as a Luminary boosts your credibility, builds your professional presence, and positions you as a trusted voice in the AI space.
Join a Thriving Community: Winners and nominees become part of an active, high-impact network. From educators and scientists to business leaders and mentors, this is your chance to engage with people shaping AI’s future and to collaborate, learn, and grow alongside them.
Share Your Story: Every AI journey is different. Whether you’re working independently or within a team, what you’ve built matters and makes a difference. These awards give you the chance to spotlight your work and inspire others through your experiences, challenges, and wins.
What Impact Looked Like in 2024?
Last year’s winners came from all walks of the AI space. Some led innovation in large companies while others built new tools or ran initiatives to teach and mentor. Many worked behind the scenes to support open-source projects or help their communities learn and grow.
What united them all? Purpose and impact.
They showed what AI can achieve when it’s guided by strong ideas and stronger values.
Here is a list of winners from last year’s edition of AV Luminary Awards.
Winners from 2024
GenAI Leaders
L&D Heads
GenAI Scientists
- Abhinand B
- Bharat Giddwani
- D Sabarinathan
- Manish Gupta
- Ravi Theja
- Shubhradeep Nandi
- Vikas Agrawal
Community Contributors
- Aishwarya Naresh Reganti
- Anandaganesh Balakrishnan
- Bhavesh Bhatt
- Joinal Ahmed
- Manoranjan Rajguru
- Mayank Baranwal
- Rajiv Shah
- Sandeep Singh
- Shriram Kris Vasudevan
- Vijay Gabale
Conclusion
These winners showed how diverse and meaningful AI contributions can be. Now it’s time for you to step up. Have you built something valuable in the AI space? Helped others learn or grow in this domain? Or do you know someone who has?
Nominations for the 3rd edition of AV Luminary Awards are now open. It is absolutely free to nominate, and winners will be celebrated at the awards evening during the DataHack Summit 2025 in Bengaluru (Aug 20- 23, 2025).
This is the third edition of a growing tradition. It’s a space for stories, impact, innovation and recognition. Whether you’re nominating yourself, a colleague, a peer, or a mentor, this is your chance to contribute and be a part of something meaningful.
Nominate now and let’s celebrate those powering the future of AI.
Nominate today – Because great choices deserve recognition!
With a career spanning 5 years, Swati has worked with top institutions to curate content for them.
A software engineer, data science enthusiast, and a stickler for grammar who always jumps at every chance to explore food, life, and mysterious theories. A Potterhead with a passion for Psychology, she is always up for learning new theories on life. She finds herself amused with books, podcasts, and vlogs that add value to life.
