Calling all TECHY WOMEN - The Evolving Landscape of Women in Artificial Intelligence

Greetings, my AI peeps and other really cool individuals! Today, I'm excited to share some thoughts on a topic that's not only fascinating but also deeply personal to me: the role of women in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.

A Personal Awakening

Before we delve into the facts and figures, I want to share a recent experience that truly opened my eyes to the power and potential of women in AI. Just this morning, I attended my first meeting of a group called Women in AI, and it was quite eye-opening.

As someone who's been to countless tech networking events, I'm used to being one of the few women in a sea of men. I am fine with that. It has never been an issue at all. I have enjoyed and learned from every experience I have had. However, there was a stark contrast with the crowd today.

Imagine walking into a room filled with bright, excited, energetic, curious, and fun women, all passionate about AI. Honestly, I never really felt like I found my "girl group" in this world. And I have been on the planet for a few years now. It has been kind of lonely. But today, I think I found my girls. And they are as enthusiastic as I am. And I. LOVE. IT.

The energy was palpable, the conversations were inspiring, and not only did it exceed my expectations, it gave me a whole new perspective on my role. Honestly, it made me see my LIFE differently.

And then it dawned on me, as I pondered the experience shortly after, how the work that Dustin Carr and I do at DarkViolet.ai is all under the watchful eye of Dark Violet. She's our logo, our muse, and more—this young girl with dark purple hair and eyes that seem to see into other worlds, this AI enigma. In many ways, Dark Violet symbolizes the essence of women in AI—bold, curious, and unafraid to challenge conventions. There is something fundamentally exciting about that energy in this field.

Let's explore why experiences like mine are so crucial and what they mean for the bigger picture of women in AI.

The Current State of Affairs

Let's start with the numbers. There's good news – we're seeing progress! The World Economic Forum reports an increasing proportion of women in AI recently. LinkedIn data supports this, showing a significant uptick in women taking on AI engineering roles since 2016. However, the numbers are still far from balanced.

Honestly, that doesn't bother me too much. It kind of makes us special, doesn't it? We're the cool chicks in this field. But I believe there are other women out there who would love AI as much as we do if they were introduced to everything it has to offer, especially the younger generations.

As of 2024, women make up about 28.2% of the STEM workforce. Zooming in on AI specifically, the Global Gender Gap Report of 2023 puts us at around 30% of the AI workforce. Not bad, but there is room for improvement.

Breaking it down further:

• Globally, we're looking at less than a third of the AI workforce being women. From the energy I saw today, this world NEEDS us, ladies.
• Some countries are leading the charge with higher female participation in AI, while others... well, let's just say they need an update.
• Leadership roles? That's where things get really interesting (and by interesting, I mean challenging). Women are even less represented in the upper echelons of AI.

Challenges: Because Nothing Worth Having Comes Easy

• Education and Pipeline Issues
• Workplace Culture
• Bias in AI Systems
• Lack of Role Models
• Work-Life Balance

Why We Need Women in AI

• Diverse Perspectives
• Addressing Bias
• Economic Growth
• Ethical Considerations

Cool Initiatives Making Waves

• Women of AI Groups: Remember that Women of AI meeting I mentioned? These groups are popping up everywhere, providing safe spaces for women to connect, learn, and grow in the field of AI. They're not just networking opportunities; they're incubators for the next generation of AI leaders.
• AI Skills Accelerator: The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Ernst & Young (EY) are leading the charge with a program aimed at training 1,000 girls across 12 countries in AI and entrepreneurship.
• Women-Led Startups: There's been a rise in support for women-led AI startups, with increased funding and resources. Investors are finally realizing that betting on women in AI is not just the right thing to do – it's a smart business move.
• Education and Training Programs: Specialized AI training programs for women and girls are popping up everywhere. These programs offer mentorship, technical training, and networking opportunities, helping to bridge the gap and prepare women for stellar careers in AI.
• Mentorship Programs: Established women in AI are paying it forward, guiding and supporting younger professionals. It's like having a cool, tech-savvy big sister showing you the ropes.

Peering into the Crystal Ball (errrrm, Neural Network?)

The future for women in AI is looking bright, but we've still got work to do. Here's what we can expect:

• Growing Demand: The need for AI professionals is skyrocketing, creating plenty of opportunities for women to enter and advance in the field. It's like a gold rush, but instead of pickaxes, we've got keyboards!
• Evolving Workplace Culture: Companies are recognizing the value of diverse perspectives in AI development. Many are working to create environments where all professionals, regardless of gender, can contribute their best work. This includes fostering a culture of mutual respect and providing equal opportunities for growth and advancement.
• Technological Advancements: As AI evolves, new roles are emerging that may attract more women to the field. Areas like AI ethics, human-centered AI design, and interdisciplinary applications of AI offer diverse career paths that can appeal to a wide range of interests and expertise.
• Policy Interventions: Governments and organizations are implementing policies to promote equality in tech fields, including AI. These aim to ensure fair opportunities for all qualified individuals in the industry.

Wrapping It Up

So there you have it – the fascinating, challenging, and exciting world of women in AI. The good news? The future is bright, and it's ours to shape.

My experience at the Women of AI meeting was more than just a pleasant surprise – it was a glimpse into what's possible when we create spaces that empower and celebrate women in this field. It showed me that we're not just making progress on paper; we're building a community, a movement, and a future where women don't just participate in AI but lead its development and direction.

Remember, every line of code you write, every algorithm you design, and every AI system you develop is a step towards a more inclusive, innovative, and awesome future.

We're not just participating in the AI revolution; we're leading it, one neural network at a time. The future of AI NEEDS its divine feminine, and from what I can see, we are out here and ready to provide.

Keep dreaming up solutions. Keep coding those dreams. And never believe your imagination would give you something you cannot somehow manifest in this world, at least to some degree. I am still working on manifesting that unicorn though. Catch you on the flip side!

Shout out to the great ladies from Women in AI - founders Sue Yeh Johnson and Becky Berry CPCC, speaker Cori Shen, and my new friends and colleagues Brandy Reaves and Toroko Fuwa.

Further Reading

• More Women Making a Career in AI
• Inclusive, Responsible AI Needs Women Front and Centre
• Artificial Intelligence and Gender Equality
• State of Women in AI Today
• Women in AI: Men Continue to Advance
• Future Female: Trends and Opportunities for Women in AI
• How an AI-Driven Future Can Include More Women in Leadership
• Women Leaders in AI
• Why Don't Women Use Artificial Intelligence