Why Women Are Important in AI?

By: Aruna Pattam, Head - AI & Data Science, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Japan, HCL Technologies

There is a lack of women in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). This is a problem because it creates an imbalanced and male-dominated field. If we want to see success in AI, we need to bring more gender diversity into the picture.

In this article, I will explore why women are important in AI and also discuss some tips for how women can be successful in a male-dominated field.

Let’s start with some AI basics:

What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

Artificial intelligence is the process of programming computers to make decisions for themselves. This can be done in a number of ways, but the most common form of AI is known as machine learning. Machine learning is where computers are given data and then use that data to learn for themselves.

How does AI impact our day-to-day lives?

We probably use AI every day without even realizing it. If we use a virtual assistant such as Siri or Cortana, then we are using AI. If we use a social media platform such as Facebook or Instagram, then we are also using AI. These platforms use AI to personalize our experience and show us content that they think we will find interesting.

AI is also becoming increasingly prevalent in the business world. For example, AI can be used to automate customer service tasks, help doctors diagnose diseases, improve search engine results, control self-driving cars etc. The list goes on and on...

AI has the potential to revolutionize the way we live and work.

In fact, it is estimated that by 2030, AI will have created nearly $16 trillion in value for businesses worldwide.

Why women are important in AI?

As we have seen, AI has a big impact on our lives, both personally and professionally.

But what about women in AI? We represent 50% of the world population but when it comes to AI, we are only 26%. This lack of women representation in AI is a huge problem. It can lead to a number of issues, such as women's voices not being heard, a lack of understanding of women's needs, women feeling excluded from the field, and ultimately, it can hold back the advancement of AI.

There are a number of reasons as to why women are important in AI.

Women bring a different perspective to the table: They have different experiences and perspectives that can help to create more balanced and diverse teams. Women are more likely to take into account the ethical implications of AI. They are also more likely to consider the impact of AI on society as a whole.

Women are often better at multitasking and taking on multiple roles: This is because women are used to juggling a lot of different responsibilities both at work and at home. In the world of AI, this can be a valuable skill set.

Women are often more risk-averse than men: This means that they are less likely to take unnecessary risks. In the world of AI, this is a valuable quality as it can help to prevent mistakes and accidents from happening. For example, women are less likely to take risks with medical diagnosis or self-driving cars.

Women are often more emotionally intelligent than men: This means that they are better at understanding and managing emotions. In the world of AI, this is a valuable skill as it can help to create more balanced and effective teams.

Women can help to create better products and services: Studies have shown that companies with gender-diverse teams are more innovative and produce better products. Women are more likely to be user-centric in their approach and to consider the needs of all users when designing products or services.

How can women be successful in a male-dominated field like AI?

Here are a few tips:

1. Find a mentor: It can be helpful to find someone who is already successful in the field of AI and who can provide guidance and advice.

2. Network: Get to know other women in AI and build a support network. This can be a valuable resource for advice and information sharing.

3. Be confident: Believe in yourself and your abilities. You have just as much right to be successful in AI as anyone else does.

4. Keep learning: The field of AI is constantly changing and evolving. Make sure you keep up-to-date with the latest developments so that you can stay ahead of the curve.

5. Raise your voice: Speak up about the issues that matter to you. We need more women’s voices in AI to create a more diverse and inclusive field.

6. Help others: Use your platform to help other women in AI. Share your knowledge and experience with others so that they can benefit from it too.

7. Be persistent: Don’t give up. Despite the challenges, women have made a lot of progress in AI. We need to keep fighting so that we can achieve our full potential in this field.

8. Have fun: Enjoy the process! Learning and exploring new things should be enjoyable. Don’t forget to have fun along the way.

These are just a few of the ways women can be successful in AI. But one thing is for sure: We need more women in AI.

So, let’s work together to make it happen.

As the famous quote goes "you can't be what you can't see."

So, if we want to encourage more women to enter the field of AI, we need to make sure they can see themselves doing it. We need to show them that it is possible. And we need to give them the support they need to succeed.

Thank you for reading! I hope this article has inspired you to think about the importance of women in AI and how we can all work together to create a more diverse and inclusive field.