Millicent Ochieng
Research Scientist
About
I am a Research Scientist at the Microsoft Research Lab – Africa in Nairobi, where I focus on Generative AI, large language models (LLMs), and equitable NLP systems for underrepresented languages and communities. My research explores the intersection of multilingual NLP, reasoning, safety, and cultural alignment in low-resource settings. I have led and contributed to work published in top-tier conferences including EMNLP, NAACL, and LREC, and I actively collaborate with communities like Masakhane to advance African language technology through inclusive, open research.
My long-term research goal is to improve the reasoning capabilities, safety, and cultural and contextual awareness of large language models (LLMs) — ensuring these systems serve underrepresented languages and global contexts by advancing deeper generalization, reducing harm, and building culturally grounded trust in low-resource settings.
Beyond research, I serve as a WiDS Ambassador for Africa and Kenya, where I lead a vibrant community advocating for gender equity in AI and Data Science.
Let’s connect if you’re working on:
- LLMs, multilingual NLP, or inclusive benchmarks.
- Collaborations across academia, research labs, or Global South initiatives.
- Creating opportunities for underrepresented voices in AI.