by Ellie S. (11th Grade)
Hanya Hu is a leader who moves between the worlds of high-tech ventures and human-centric missions. A former COO and a GPTDAO Fellow, she currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at CSTU and leads HerPower, an initiative dedicated to AI innovation and equity. For Hanya, the goal is to build a smarter, greener society where AI acts as a catalyst for global sustainability. Lets hear her story and why she created HerPower.ai
The HerPower Vision
Hanya:”I started HerPower because I saw a gap between the immense power of AI and the accessibility of its benefits,” Hanya shares. “Whether we are talking about economic equity or environmental health, AI is the most powerful tool we’ve ever had to optimize systems. My work is about ensuring that this ‘intelligence’ is applied to the challenges that matter most—like our transition to a carbon-neutral world.”
Q: In your expertise, what are some of the most promising innovations that can accelerate the transition to clean energy and carbon-neutral initiatives?
Hanya: As an investor and technologist, I see AI-driven grid modernization and long-duration energy storage (LDES) as the real game-changers. The biggest hurdle for renewables like wind and solar is intermittency. We need a grid that isn’t just a “pipe” but a “brain.”
For example, by using AI to predict energy demand and weather patterns with hyper-precision, we can optimize when we store energy and when we release it, reducing our reliance on fossil-fuel “peaker” plants. Furthermore, innovations in circular economy tech—using AI to track the lifecycle of batteries and solar panels—will ensure that our “green” transition doesn’t create a new waste crisis.
At HerPower, we constantly connect the experts and advocate for innovative solutions.
Q: AI is a hot topic right now. What are some AI initiatives or applications you are seeing in your field that point toward a greener future?
Hanya: We are currently witnessing a shift from “Generative AI” for content to “Applied AI” for efficiency. Personally, I am focused on Intelligent Equity. In a greener future, AI can democratize access to energy efficiency tools. Imagine a world where localized AI models help small businesses or rural communities in developing nations optimize their own microgrids and minimize their carbon footprint without needing a team of expensive engineers. At HerPower, we are using AI to empower leaders who are building these “edge” solutions for sustainability.
Q: How can we foster greater collaboration between public and private sectors, academia, and community stakeholders to achieve carbon neutrality goals?
Hanya: We need to build “Innovation Ecosystems” rather than siloed organizations. In my experience as an Adjunct Professor and an entrepreneur, I’ve seen that academia has the research, the private sector has the scale, and the community has the lived experience of the climate crisis.
To bridge these, we should implement “Open Intelligence Initiatives.” When we share data across sectors—safely and ethically—we can solve problems faster. We must also involve the community as “co-designers.” Sustainability shouldn’t be something that happens to people; it should be something they are equipped to lead. This is why education is so central to my mission—we are training the leaders who will navigate these complex collaborations.
Closing Thoughts: A Message to the Students
Hanya: “To the next generation of innovators: Don’t just follow the AI hype; follow the impact. We are at a unique moment in history where we have the tools to redesign our world from the ground up. Whether you are coding, teaching, or investing, ask yourself: Is this making our future more intelligent, more equitable, and more sustainable? If the answer is yes, you are on the right path.”
About the Expert:
Hanya Hu: Founder & CEO of HerPower, AI Investor, Author, and Adjunct Professor at CSTU.
Learn more: herpower.ai
