Making AI accountable where decisions matter most.
I'm Daniella — a lawyer-turned-founder working at the intersection of law, technology, and policy. I build products and advocate for governance frameworks that keep AI compliant, explainable, and fair — from fintech boardrooms to global policy stages.
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Bio
Daniella Esi Darlington is a Ghanaian visionary leader and technologist using artificial intelligence to empower individuals and close the digital divide. She is Co-Founder of Alleina AI, a Germany-based AI governance software company helping organisations turn the EU AI Act and AI policies into practical processes, responsibilities and evidence for responsible AI use, backed by the EXIST Business Startup Grant from Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE). She leads on responsible-AI ethics and governance, drawing on her legal background and AI-policy expertise. She previously co-founded Copianto AI, a conversational search platform.
An advocate for responsible technology, Daniella is a member of the ITU Secretary-General's Youth Advisory Board, an Affiliate at All Tech Is Human, a research member and AI-policy expert at the Center for AI and Digital Policy, and has consulted as a digital-inclusion expert at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). Her work centres on inclusive AI development and widening young people's participation in shaping it. Her contributions have been recognised through the Sigma Squared Society fellowship and StArfrica's #10FacesChangingAfrica.
What I'm building
Responsible-AI governance, built for regulated industries.
Alleina helps highly regulated organisations — starting with fintech — stay compliant, explainable, and audit-ready as AI increasingly drives decisions in lending, hiring, claims, fraud detection, and public services.
Backed by the EXIST start-up grant from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy — the first Ghanaian team, and only the second African team, to win it.
Visit alleina.com →Work & experience
A path that runs from law school to start-up building to global AI policy.
CEO & Co-Founder
Leading the governance product vision for a platform that turns AI regulation into operational practice for banks, insurers, and fintechs — winner of Germany's EXIST start-up grant.
Researcher
Researching AI policy and contributing to work that promotes democratic values and the rule of law in the governance of artificial intelligence.
Youth Advisory Board Member — Representing Ghana
One of 12 appointees worldwide — and one of two from Africa — on the inaugural Secretary-General's Youth Advisory Board, providing practical advice on connecting the unconnected and bridging the digital divide.
Co-Founder & COO
Co-built a conversational AI platform that unlocks organisational knowledge through intelligent virtual assistants — securing €100,000 on Shark Tank Malta and reaching 5,000+ users in the first year.
LLB, Law — University of Ghana
Legal training paired with entrepreneurship and technical certifications — the foundation for working credibly across law, product, and policy.
Honors & awards
10 Faces Changing Africa
StArfrica — Startup Germany-Africa. Named one of ten pioneering female founders building tech-driven enterprises in Ghana — with a documentary and magazine feature.
View the feature →35 Under 35
Westlionco. Recognised among 35 outstanding young leaders shaping business and innovation.
View the list →Ghana Female Tech Trailblazers
Soronko Academy. Honoured as one of Ghana's female tech trailblazers driving change in the technology ecosystem.
View the honorees →Affiliations & fellowships
Sigma Squared Society
Selected as a Fellow of Sigma Squared, the global community of exceptional young founders.
Announcement →All Tech Is Human
Part of the inaugural cohort of All Tech Is Human Affiliates, advancing the responsible-technology movement.
Cohort announcement →Speaking & engagements
Talks, panels, and advocacy on responsible AI, digital inclusion, and technology policy.
Summit of the Future — A Digital Future for All
Speaker at Action Day 2 of the UN Summit of the Future, on harnessing innovation, science, and data for an inclusive, safe, and sustainable digital future.
Watch on UN Web TV →Leaders TalkX — Local Voices, Global Echoes
Moderated the Main Stage high-level panel — with ministers from Guinea and The Gambia, UNESCO's ADG, and Denmark's Tech Ambassador — on preserving human legacy and linguistic diversity in the digital age.
Session details →Youth Perspectives on the Digital Divide
Featured by the ITU on what young people know — and need to know — about the digital divide, as a member of the Secretary-General's Youth Advisory Board.
Read the feature →EQUALS Dialogue & Youth Perspectives on AI
Speaker at the UN's AI for Good Global Summit — "EQUALS dialogue: Skills, careers and inclusive AI futures" and "What's next in AI? Youth perspectives on global trends".
Speaker profile →Have a stage that needs a responsible-AI voice?
I speak on AI governance & the EU AI Act, AI in regulated industries, African innovation, and youth in tech policy.
Invite me to speak →Publications & articles
Work I've authored or contributed to on AI policy, governance, and digital inclusion.
Media & press
Conversations, panels, and coverage from the UN to Ghana's startup ecosystem.
Human Security Colloquium
Speaking on human security in the digital age at the UNDP's global colloquium — queued to my segment.
Future Innovators — Building Bold Careers in Tech
On building a bold career at the intersection of law, technology, and policy, with the ITU.
A Digital Future for All — Action Day 2
Speaking at the UN Summit of the Future Action Days in New York — queued to my remarks.
WSIS+20 High-Level Event 2025 — Day 5
Speaking on day five of the WSIS+20 High-Level Event in Geneva — queued to my remarks.
Moderating Leaders TalkX: Local Voices, Global Echoes
Moderating ministers, UNESCO's ADG, and Denmark's Tech Ambassador — Main Stage, CICG.
10 Faces Changing Africa — Ghana Women Edition
Featured in StArfrica's documentary spotlighting ten pioneering female founders in Ghana.
In-Depth: Building Copianto AI
An in-depth founder interview on Copianto AI at Ghana Digital Innovation Week.
Press & features
UN Web TVA Digital Future for All — Summit of the Future Action Days, UN Headquarters→ StArfrica Magazine10 Faces Changing Africa — Ghana Women Edition: Documentary & Magazine Feature→ StArfricaGhanaian Startup Alleina AI Secures EXIST Start-up Grant — a Milestone for African Tech→ ITUSecretary-General's Youth Advisory Board — Member Profile, Representing Ghana→ ITU HubYouth Perspective: What Do Young People Know About the Digital Divide?→ WSIS+20 · ITULeaders TalkX: Local Voices, Global Echoes — Session 504, High-Level Event→In the field
Snapshots from stages, summits, and the work in between.
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Let's talk about governing AI well.
Whether it's a partnership, a panel, a policy question, or Alleina — my inbox is open.