Artificial intelligence
10 AI lab data acquisition experts
These ten professionals have worked on human data and data acquisition at AI labs, in program management, operations, data science and engineering roles. A reader can learn how human data and data acquisition staff approach their work at AI labs from people who have done it.
Professionals to explore
01—10Alexandra Barr
LinkedInExperience: Human Data · OpenAI
Works in human data at OpenAI since 2024, in a role the profile titles simply Human Data. Former Product Manager at Surge AI (2022-2023) and Program Manager at odf (2021-2023), and earlier a Financial Analyst at UBS (2019-2021). She also lists a Writer role at poastoffice.com since 2023.
David Klinghoffer
LinkedInExperience: Human Data, Gemini · Google DeepMind
Works on human data for Gemini at Google DeepMind since 2024; the profile headline describes the work as enabling state-of-the-art model development at DeepMind. Former Research Operations Specialist, AR Engineering at Google (2023-2024) and former User Study Coordinator, Human Engineering at Apple (2021-2022).
Elena Pittarokili
LinkedInExperience: Human Data · OpenAI
Works in human data at OpenAI since 2025, in a role the profile titles simply Human Data. Former AI Product Manager (2024-2025) and Analytics Engineer (2023-2024) at Age of Learning, and former Data Science Researcher at Stanford Graduate School of Business (2022-2024). The profile describes building AI and ML systems with a product mindset.
Georgi Stoyanov
LinkedInExperience: Technical Program Manager Human Data · Google DeepMind
Technical Program Manager, Human Data at Google DeepMind since 2026, after working in Human Data Operations for Gemini and GenAI there (2024-2026). The profile describes streamlining research data operations alongside researchers. Earlier strategy and operations roles at Salesforce (2021-2024).
Hannah Kirkwood
LinkedInExperience: Human Data Operations & Program Management · Google DeepMind
In Human Data Operations and Program Management at Google DeepMind since 2022; the profile headline describes her as Human Data Engagements Lead. She has worked at Google DeepMind since 2017, including roles as Program Manager (2023-2025), Project Specialist (2020-2023) and Program Associate (2018-2020).
Kelvin Zhang
LinkedInExperience: Member of Technical Staff · OpenAI
Member of Technical Staff at OpenAI since 2026; the profile places this role in human data within the research organization. Former Senior Software Engineer at Google DeepMind (2024-2026), Backend Engineer at Monzo (2023-2024) and Software Engineer at Google (2022-2023).
Leonardo Torres
LinkedInExperience: Data Scientist, Human Data · OpenAI
Data Scientist, Human Data at OpenAI since 2021, the only role the listing shows for him. The profile describes embedding with the human data team to find ways to improve data quality and throughput, and defining tests that measure the impact of model, user experience and process changes.
Phoebe Thacker
LinkedInExperience: Head of Human Data Operations · OpenAI
Head of Human Data Operations at OpenAI since 2024. Former Program Lead - Data at Google DeepMind (2022-2024), where the profile says she led the data operations team responsible for human data, data governance and data acquisition for Google DeepMind and Gemini research. Earlier a Research Program Manager at Google DeepMind (2019-2022).
Preston Bowman
LinkedInExperience: Program Manager - Human Data Team · OpenAI
Program Manager on the Human Data Team at OpenAI since 2024. Before that he was a Neurotech Experimentalist at Wispr Flow (2023-2024), where the profile describes building a data collection pipeline that gathered more than 60 hours of valid data from recruited participants each day.
Raoul de Liedekerke
LinkedInExperience: Member of programs staff · OpenAI
Member of programs staff at OpenAI since 2025; the profile headline places him in human data at OpenAI and describes an interest in human data and measuring model performance. Former Program Manager - Gemini Evals at Google DeepMind (2022-2025) and Team Coordinator there (2020-2022).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's role type to your question, since program and operations staff, data scientists and engineers each see a different part of the work. Consider which lab and which years at that lab are closest to the decision you face, since several people have worked at more than one lab.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How does a human data team decide what kind of data a research effort needs?
- 02How do you measure whether human-generated data is improving a model?
- 03What does a human data program manager do day to day?
Reaching AI lab data acquisition experts
How can I contact one of these AI lab data acquisition experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 2 companies: OpenAI and Google DeepMind, based on profile data retrieved on October 9, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach AI lab data acquisition experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
Can an AI agent ask one of these AI lab data acquisition experts a question?
Yes. An agent with a USDC wallet on Base can ask one question without an Instant Expert account. It names the person, for example by the LinkedIn URL on this page, and pays per ask over x402 (HTTP 402). The person answers in writing or by voice note, and if nobody answers within 7 days, the payment goes back to the wallet automatically. x402 docs
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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