Kayode Makinde

Kayode Makinde is a data scientist and AI researcher at Lawyers Hub, Africa's leading AI policy organization. With a background in engineering, he has built a career at the intersection of AI research, policy, and real-world applications.

Kayode’s work spans reinforcement learning, computer vision, and AI-driven optimization, with award-winning contributions in AI research. He has developed cutting-edge solutions, including reinforcement learning agents for Ayo, an AI-powered ripe orange plucking robot, and optimization models for decision-making. His efforts have earned him multiple accolades, including the Best Poster award at the DSN AI Bootcamp, 3rd place at IndabaX Nigeria 2024, and victories at the Bluechip Data and AI Summit and DataFest hackathons.

Beyond his professional work, Kayode is passionate about mentorship and AI community growth. He actively fosters AI adoption in Africa by engaging with research communities and supporting initiatives that drive innovation. Whether leading groundbreaking projects, exploring AI’s ethical implications, or contributing to community development, he is always seeking new challenges and opportunities to make an impact.