Hi, I'm Bunmi Akinremi

I teach machines to navigate and complete tasks with unknown, incomplete or missing information

Right now, I work with reinforcement and robot learning for single and multi agent systems.

Read my research Invite me to speak

Cornell PhysX hackathonI'm teaching a robot how to wear a dress.
Recent researchThe orienteering problem with reinforcement learning in unknown nodes. The manuscript is complete.

AMLD Africa
TEDx Ayobo
Python Summit Warsaw
Interspeech 2025
ELLIS PhD shortlist
NASA Space Apps top 10
EuroPython
DSC Europe
EPFL LiGHT
Black in AI

What I study

Research

Agents that act well when the map is incomplete. These are the stops on the route so far.

In progress

Cornell PhysX hackathon

Robot learning, reinforcement learning

Manuscript complete

Orienteering in unknown nodes

Reinforcement learning, Paper III

Jun to Aug 2026

Research fellowship at EPFL

LiGHT, Ebola triage tools and agentic feedback for medical notes in 5 African languages

Experience Under review

Detector guided RL for UAV navigation

Waypoint free flight in a simulated river environment, under review at Springer

Publications Under review

Sensor degradation in African locomotives

Reinforcement learning, African Cities Journal Special Issue

Publications Published

The NaijaVoices dataset

Speech data for African languages, Interspeech 2025

Publications

All publications

Along the way

Recognition

2025Top 400
ELLIS PhD Programme shortlist, out of 6,000+ applicants
2024£70,000
Research grant from the French Embassy Fund
2024Top 127
Black in AI Emerging Leaders, out of 590+
2022Top 10
NASA Space Apps Challenge, global finalist out of 3,000+

Out loud

On stage, around the world

Sovereignty is a Pipe Dream Without Pipelines, A Builder's Manifesto
AMLD Africa
Jan 2026, South Africa
From Users to Makers, Inspiring the Next Generation of Tech Creators
TEDx Ayobo
Jan 2026, Lagos, Nigeria
Agent Teaming in Mixed Motive Environments
Python Summit Warsaw
Dec 2025, Warsaw, Poland

AMLD AfricaSouth AfricaJan 2026
TEDx AyoboLagosNigeria
Jan 2026
Python SummitWarsawPoland
Dec 2025
EuroPythonPragueCzechia
Jul 2024
DSC AdriaAdriaCroatia
Apr 2024
DSC EuropeBelgradeSerbia
Nov 2023

All talks

Kind words

Features and mentions

Young People in Tech speaker feature graphic for Bunmi Akinremi

Young People in TechJun 2026, Lagos, Nigeria

Some of the most important work in AI happens between research and implementation. We're pleased to welcome Bunmi Akinremi to The Artificial Future.

Thinking About Thinking ambassador graphic

Thinking About ThinkingApr 2026, Ambassador

I've been selected as a Thinking About Thinking Ambassador for 2026. Supporting thoughtful, responsible discussion around AI.

ONE DEV Africa women developers feature graphic

ONE DEV AfricaApr 2026, International Women's Month

We celebrate 40 incredible women developers across Africa. Women who are building, solving real problems, and contributing to a global digital economy.

Deep Learning Indaba X Uganda speaker graphic

IndabaX UgandaMar 2026, Deep Learning Indaba X

Celebrating the women shaping the future of AI in Africa. We spotlight the women speaking at Deep Learning Indaba X Uganda 2026.

WiMLDS Lagos personality of the month graphic

WiMLDS Lagos2025, Personality of the Month

Bunmi Akinremi is a brilliant mind passionate about research and building intelligent systems, blending technical depth with creative flair.

Nigerians in AIMar 2026, AI Innovation Wednesday

An AI researcher and engineer building technology that actually serves people, and mentoring African ML researchers.

Carpe Datum Podcast

Podcast guest2024, Season 1, Episode 11

Bunmi Akinremi on Passion to Profession. Her data driven journey from Microsoft Certified AI Engineer to production ML systems.

Dispatches

News

Oct 2026 Hackathon
Took part in the World Bank Group Small AI for Development hackathon with Hack Nation. In under 24 hours my team built OATA, an offline AI trip advisor for Nigeria's heritage sites. Read the post
Aug 2026 Position
Ended research fellowship at LiGHT. Moving on to new opportunities and challenges.
Jun 2026 Position
Started Cofounder role at Divas in AI. Amplifying the efforts to train and mentor young women in AI skills.
Jun 2026 Position
Started Research Fellowship at LiGHT, EPFL, Switzerland. Joining the Laboratory for Intelligent Global Health Technologies to work at the intersection of AI and global health impact.
May 2026 Position
Left my position as AI Engineer at Bfree Africa.
May 2026 Guest lecture
Delivered a guest lecture on introduction to Reinforcement Learning at Namibia University.
Jan 2026 Speaking
Spoke at AMLD Africa in South Africa and TEDx Ayobo in Lagos within the same month. Two stages, two countries, one message.
Jan 2026 Position
Started as AI Engineer at Bfree Africa and Adjunct Faculty at Pan Atlantic University, building and teaching at the same time.
Dec 2025 Speaking
Presented Agent Teaming in Mixed Motive Environments at Python Summit Warsaw, Poland.
2025 Award
ELLIS PhD Programme 2025, shortlisted. Top 400 out of 6,000+ applicants for Europe's most competitive AI doctoral programme.
Nov 2024 Grant
Awarded a £70,000 research grant from the French Embassy Fund for AI powered plastic waste identification and transformation.

Next stop

Hiring, supervising or inviting me to speak

Research roles, PhD supervision, talks and panels. Write to me and I reply within a few days.

Email me