News

May 06, 2025

National Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month: Honoring Innovators in Tech 

Four individuals are pictured above text that reads, "AAPI Heritage Month: Honoring Innovators in Tech," against a blue and yellow patterned background, celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander leaders in the tech industry.Each May, we observe National Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, recognizing the cultural contributions and achievements of AAPI communities across the United States. In technology, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have been instrumental in advancing innovation.

As we honor this AAPI Heritage month, it’s important to spotlight a few AAPI trailblazers who are redefining what’s possible in the computing and tech industries.

 

AAPI Leaders Who Have Shaped Technology

 

 

Jensen Huang, co-founder and CEO of NVIDIA, has revolutionized computing through GPU technology, powering advancements in artificial intelligence, scientific research, and gaming. His leadership demonstrates a combination of technical expertise and business knowledge that contributes to ongoing innovation.

 

 

Lisa Su, CEO and Chair of AMD, has led a major turnaround of the company, placing it at the forefront of semiconductor technology. As a Taiwanese American woman in tech, her achievements inspire not just aspiring engineers but also future leaders from underrepresented backgrounds.

Portrait of Eric Yuan, wearing a blue Zoom t-shirt, with the text "Eric Yuan Founder and CEO of Zoom" below his photo—celebrating Asian American innovators for AAPI Heritage Month. 

 

Eric Yuan, founder and CEO of Zoom, reshaped global communication. His journey from immigrant software engineer to the head of a household name platform exemplifies the spirit of perseverance and innovation AAPI communities bring to the tech industry.

 

 

Dr. Fei-Fei Li, co-director of the Stanford Human-Centered AI Institute and former Chief Scientist of AI at Google Cloud, is a trailblazer in the fields of artificial intelligence and ethics. Renowned for her work in computer vision, she has also been a strong advocate for inclusive AI, making a significant global impact through her contributions. Additionally, her initiative, AI4ALL, continues to foster diversity and inclusion in the field of AI.

CMD-IT recognizes the contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islander technologists while advancing its mission to drive societal change by providing skill development, opportunities, and resources for our target communities through innovative programs, events, and strategies for  the computing community. CMD-IT remains committed to fostering a tech industry where diversity is valued every day—not just during heritage months.