The weekly news magazine announced the award Thursday (Dec. 4), citing the 15-year old's ability to apply cutting edge tech to real-world problems.
"I don't look like your typical scientist. Everything I see on TV is that it's an older, usually white man as a scientist," she told Time. "My goal has really shifted not only from creating my own devices to solve the world's problems, but inspiring others to do the same as well. Because, from personal experience, it's not easy when you don't see anyone else like you. So I really want to put out that message: If I can do it, you can do it, and anyone can do it."
Among the innovations created by the Colorado Indian American teen is a mobile device to test for lead in drinking water.
The native of Lone Tree, Colo. was in 7th grade when she created a device named Tehvs, that uses carbon nanotube sensors to detect lead in water. For this accomplishment she was named America's Top Young Scientist when she was in the seventh grade. She went on to collaborate with scientists in the water industry to try to get the device on the market.
She is not one to sit on her laurels, however. Since receiving that honor, Gitanjali has developed a phone and Web tool named Kindly, which uses artificial intelligence technology to detect possible early signs of cyberbullying.
"You type in a word or phrase, and it's able to pick it up if it's bullying, and it gives you the option to edit it or send it the way it is," Gitanjali tells Time. "The goal is not to punish. As a teenager, I know teenagers tend to lash out sometimes. Instead, it gives you the chance to rethink what you're saying so that you know what to do next time around."
Time decided to create a new award, Kid of the Year, as a companion to its annual Person of the Year award that will be announced next week. The Kid of the Year is a way to recognize young people who are having a positive influence on their communities and using their innovations to help solve problems.
Gitanjali was among the five finalists selected from more than 5,000 candidates between 8 and 16 years old. A committee of kids then made the final choice, along with comedian Trevor Noah.
The other finalists, who are also profiled in the Time article, include Tyler Gordon, 14, from San Jose, Calif.; Jordan Reeves, 14, from Columbia, Mo.; Bellen Woodard, 10, from Leesburg, Va.; and Ian McKenna, 16, from Austin, Texas.
The candidates are responsible for a wide range of positive work, from guiding discussions about racial injustice to growing food for the needy and making toys that all kids can enjoy, regardless of their abilities.
"You type in a word or phrase, and it's able to pick it up if it's bullying, and it gives you the option to edit it or send it the way it is," Gitanjali tells Time. "The goal is not to punish. As a teenager, I know teenagers tend to lash out sometimes. Instead, it gives you the chance to rethink what you're saying so that you know what to do next time around."
Time decided to create a new award, Kid of the Year, as a companion to its annual Person of the Year award that will be announced next week. The Kid of the Year is a way to recognize young people who are having a positive influence on their communities and using their innovations to help solve problems.
Gitanjali was among the five finalists selected from more than 5,000 candidates between 8 and 16 years old. A committee of kids then made the final choice, along with comedian Trevor Noah.
The other finalists, who are also profiled in the Time article, include Tyler Gordon, 14, from San Jose, Calif.; Jordan Reeves, 14, from Columbia, Mo.; Bellen Woodard, 10, from Leesburg, Va.; and Ian McKenna, 16, from Austin, Texas.
The candidates are responsible for a wide range of positive work, from guiding discussions about racial injustice to growing food for the needy and making toys that all kids can enjoy, regardless of their abilities.
They will all receive a cash prize, courtesy of Time's partnering with Viacom, Nickelodeon's owner, as well as appearing with Noah on an upcoming TV special.
"Our generation is facing so many problems that we’ve never seen before. But then at the same time we’re facing old problems that still exist," Gitanjali told actress Angelina Jolie, who interviewed her for Time.
"Like, we’re sitting here in the middle of a new global pandemic, and we’re also like still facing human-rights issues," added Gitanjali. "There are problems that we did not create but that we now have to solve, like climate change and cyberbullying with the introduction of technology."
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