10 Women In AI You Should Know About

In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), a field traditionally dominated by men, the importance of diversifying voices cannot be overstated. The presence of women in AI brings unique perspectives, innovative ideas, and inclusive solutions to a technology that is shaping our future.

The participation of women in AI challenges stereotypes, breaks down barriers, and paves the way for future generations to contribute to this dynamic field. Let’s shine a light on ten women who are currently making huge waves in the AI industry

Mira Murati - Chief Technology Officer at OpenAI

As the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at OpenAI, Mira Murati plays a pivotal role in steering the research and development efforts of some of the most cutting-edge projects in AI, including the development of DALL-E, an AI system capable of generating highly realistic images and art from textual descriptions.

Murati has a rich background in engineering and has accumulated extensive experience in the tech industry, having worked for notable companies such as Tesla before joining OpenAI. Her expertise spans across various aspects of technology development and innovation management, making her a key player in pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve.

In November 2023, Murati stepped up as the interim CEO of OpenAI, a testament to her leadership skills and her ability to guide the organisation through critical transitions. Her role in OpenAI places her at the forefront of AI research, where she is responsible for overseeing the development of AI technologies that aim to be safe, scalable, and beneficial to humanity.

Irene Solaiman - Head of Global Policy at Hugging Face

Irene Solaiman is a prominent figure in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), known for her work on the ethical and social implications of AI technology. As the Head of Global Policy at Hugging Face, a leading company in natural language processing and AI research, Solaiman plays a crucial role in conducting social impact research and leading public policy initiatives related to AI. Her work focuses on ensuring that AI technologies are developed and deployed responsibly, with an emphasis on fairness, transparency, and accountability.

In addition to her role at Hugging Face, Irene is actively involved in advising on responsible AI initiatives at a global level. She offers her expertise to organizations such as the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) and the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), contributing to the development of guidelines and standards that promote the ethical use of AI.

Dr Patricia Scanlon - Ireland’s First AI Ambassador

Dr. Patricia Scanlon is predominantly known for her groundbreaking work in child-specific speech recognition technology as the founder of SoapBox Labs. Her company's innovative approach to AI has revolutionised the way speech recognition technology interacts with children's unique speech patterns, enabling more accurate and effective communication with digital devices and applications. This technology has wide-ranging applications, from educational tools that enhance literacy and language learning to interactive toys and voice-driven interfaces, all designed to support the developmental needs and experiences of children.

Aside from her entrepreneurial endeavours, Dr. Scanlon serves as Ireland's First AI Ambassador, advocating for the ethical development and application of AI technologies. Her role highlights her commitment to leveraging AI for societal benefits, particularly in education and child development. As a member of the Enterprise Digital Advisory Forum, she champions the cause of innovation in AI, ensuring that advancements in the field are made responsibly and inclusively, with a keen focus on creating positive impacts on the lives of children and the broader community.

Kavya Kopparapu - Research Engineer at Google Deepmind

Kavya Kopparapu is an inspiring young inventor, entrepreneur, and advocate for women in technology. She gained recognition for her work while still in high school, where she developed a deep learning tool and an accompanying app designed to diagnose diabetic retinopathy, a condition that threatened her grandfather's eyesight. This early achievement showcased her ability to apply AI technologies to solve real-world health problems, underscoring the potential of AI in healthcare.

Following her passion for technology and recognising the gender gap in computer science and AI fields, Kavya founded the Girls Computing League. This organisation aims to empower and motivate young women to pursue careers in computer science and technology by providing education, resources, and opportunities to learn about coding and AI. Through her work with the Girls Computing League, Kavya has become a role model for young women interested in STEM, demonstrating the importance of diversity and inclusion in technological advancements.

Jaclyn Rice Nelson - CEO of Tribe AI

Jaclyn Rice Nelson stands out as a leader in the artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) arenas, holding the position of CEO at Tribe AI, a company dedicated to transforming data into a valuable asset for private equity firms, Fortune 500 companies, and startups through the innovative application of machine learning.

Before founding Tribe AI, Jaclyn Rice Nelson had an impressive career at Google, where she specialised in partnering with enterprise companies to leverage Google's technology for their growth and digital transformation. Her experience at Google and her entrepreneurial journey with Tribe AI highlight her expertise in bridging the gap between cutting-edge AI technologies and business applications.

Nelson's work focuses on making AI accessible and actionable for organisations, enabling them to innovate, remain competitive in their industries, and drive forward with data-driven strategies.

Kay Firth-Butterfield - CEO of Good Tech Advisor

As the Head of Artificial Intelligence and a member of the Executive Committee at the World Economic Forum, Kay Firth-Butterfield plays a pivotal role in shaping global policies and practices related to the development and use of AI technologies. Her work focuses on ensuring that AI advancements are aligned with ethical standards and societal values, promoting a future where AI contributes positively to human well-being and global equity.

Her extensive background in law and ethics, combined with her deep understanding of AI technology, positions Firth-Butterfield as a leading authority on the intersection of AI, law, and ethical governance. Through her leadership at the World Economic Forum and other platforms, she advocates for responsible AI innovation, emphasising the importance of transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in AI development. Firth-Butterfield's efforts are crucial in guiding businesses, governments, and societies toward harnessing the benefits of AI while mitigating its risks and ensuring its ethical use.

Dr. Radhika Dirks - CEO & Founder of Ribo AI

With a profound academic background, holding a Ph.D. in Quantum Computing and an M.S. in Nanotechnology, Dr. Radhika Dirks has dedicated her career to pushing the boundaries of technology and its applications. At Ribo AI, she focuses on leveraging AI and quantum computing technologies to address complex challenges, including the development of groundbreaking solutions with the potential to cure 11 different types of cancer.

Beyond her work at Ribo AI, Dr. Dirks is also deeply invested in the future of AI and technology innovation as a whole. She is active in investing and building a portfolio of moonshot AI companies, projects characterised by their ambitious goals to solve significant global issues through innovative technology. Her vision extends to creating technologies that not only advance the field of medicine but also drive forward the capabilities of AI and quantum computing, positioning her as a visionary leader in the tech industry.

Allie K.Miller - AI Business Advisor/Investor

Allie K.Miller is one of the most prominent voices in the AI industry, ranking number 1 on LinkedIn for her content. Renowned for her expertise as an AI Business Advisor and Investor. She made a significant impact during her tenure as the Global Head of Machine Learning Business Development for Startups and Venture Capital at Amazon Web Services (AWS), where she played a pivotal role in advising the world's top machine learning researchers, founders, and investors.

In this capacity, Miller worked closely with emerging and established companies to foster innovation and accelerate the adoption of machine learning technologies across various industries.

Following her successful stint at Amazon AWS, Allie K. Miller has continued to influence the AI and tech communities by speaking globally about the transformative power of AI. Her work focuses on demystifying AI technologies and advocating for their responsible use to solve real-world problems, drive business innovation, and create positive societal impacts. Miller's insights and efforts are instrumental in shaping the future of AI, ensuring that it serves as a force for good and helps to unlock new opportunities for growth and development across the globe.

Gretchen Stewart - Chief Data Scientist at Intel

Gretchen Stewart plays a key role in advancing the company's data analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning initiatives at Intel. In her role, Stewart is instrumental in building and leading Intel's practice in these areas, focusing on working closely with a wide range of stakeholders, including federal and state government bodies, research institutions, universities, and customers in sectors like energy and advanced manufacturing.

Stewart's work involves leveraging her deep expertise in data science and AI to drive innovation within Intel, ensuring the company remains at the forefront of technological advancements. Her efforts are not only aimed at enhancing Intel's capabilities in data analytics and AI but also at fostering collaborations that bridge the gap between theoretical research and practical, real-world applications of AI and ML technologies. Through her leadership, Stewart contributes significantly to Intel's mission to transform data into meaningful insights and innovative solutions, thereby impacting various industries and contributing to societal advancement.

Eva Maydell - MEP for Tech, Innovation and Industry

Eva Maydell is a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) representing Bulgaria, with a focus on tech, innovation, and industry. She has played a significant role in shaping the legislative framework for artificial intelligence within the European Union. Maydell was the rapporteur for the EU AI Act, a landmark legal framework designed to govern the sale and use of AI across the EU member states. This act aims to ensure that AI technologies are developed and utilized in a manner that is safe, ethical, and respects fundamental rights while fostering innovation and competitiveness within the EU.

In addition to her legislative work, Maydell has been actively involved in drafting compromise amendments and collaborating with external experts and stakeholders to create a balanced and comprehensive approach to AI regulation. Her efforts reflect a commitment to steering the development of AI technologies in a direction that benefits society as a whole, emphasising the importance of ethical standards, transparency, and accountability in the AI ecosystem.

Through her work, Maydell contributes to the EU's vision of becoming a global leader in the ethical and sustainable use of AI, ensuring that technological advancements align with the EU's values and regulatory standards.

Conclusion

The contributions of these women in developing AI tools are indispensable. They not only bring diverse perspectives to the table but also ensure that the development of AI technologies is inclusive, ethical, and innovative.

Their achievements demonstrate the critical role women play in navigating the complex challenges of AI, making it imperative to support and promote female participation in this field. As AI continues to shape our future, the involvement of women in its development is not just beneficial but essential for creating balanced, equitable, and effective solutions.