Empowering women in tech: Lessons learned from making AI more accessible for businesses

AI is everywhere, and although it's now been a part of the conversation for well over a decade, for many businesses, there's still a lingering perception that advanced machine learning (ML) is too complex, too costly, or simply out of reach. These doubts often stem from misconceptions about the expertise required, its true effectiveness, and whether only tech giants can truly harness its power.

Interestingly, similar misconceptions often prevent women from entering the tech industry. Just as businesses hesitate to adopt AI, many women feel that a career in technology is beyond their reach due to perceived barriers to entry and outdated stereotypes.

Throughout my career, I've helped businesses embrace new technologies with confidence, and I've also experienced the challenges of being a woman in tech. These experiences have given me a unique perspective on how we can make tech more accessible for both businesses and individuals.

Demystifying advanced machine learning

Many companies see AI as this mysterious black box, but the complexity of ML can be better understood by focusing on its practical applications and potential benefits. Adding to this challenge, the field is full of buzzwords and gimmicks, making it challenging for businesses to differentiate genuine solutions.

When it comes to demystifying machine learning and its applications, the first step is to find a trusted partner. It's important to look for transparency, proven results, and partners who can clearly explain their technology. The most effective AI solutions can demonstrate measurable outcomes, and are validated by independent reviews or industry benchmarks.

Once you've chosen the right solution, the next critical step is to help businesses understand how to effectively work with the product for the best results. I am by no means an ML expert, but in my role as senior director of implementation at Moloco, I'm able to break down the process of what it means to utilise our machine learning-driven advertising platform to our clients. That entails focusing on the required inputs for success (time and data!) and the expected outputs over time. This can range from sharing where clients' ads are being placed and which creatives, placements, and publishers are driving performance, to how much revenue their ad spend is generating. With the right mix of technical guidance and practical business focus, companies can more easily understand how theoretical AI capabilities translate into tangible business results.

How to open up more opportunities for women in tech

Just as businesses can find the intricacies of AI and machine learning daunting, so too can women perceive the tech industry as an intimidating and inaccessible space. When it comes to breaking these perceptions, education and exposure are key. Similar to choosing a trusted partner and demonstrating AI's practical applications to businesses, having diverse role models within the tech industry can help demonstrate that it's a field for everyone.

Mentorship

Role models are key, and for me, my mum had a big influence on my choice to pursue a career in tech. She met my dad when they both worked for the same company. My dad was an engineer, whereas my mum was on the business side, where she ended up earning significantly more. Her example instilled in me the belief that women are equally, if not more, capable of achieving professional success – and men do not have to be the breadwinner!

Mentors can be found in many places, and they don't necessarily have to be women. Early in my career, I benefited from male leaders who recognised and championed my potential. This experience has taught me the importance of being that champion for others.

Challenging perceptions

We must also actively challenge the unconscious biases that often favour traditionally 'male' qualities and instead appreciate the diverse skill sets and perspectives that women bring. A wide variety of skills are valuable in tech, not just deep technical expertise. Identify your core skills and understand that these are applicable to a whole range of roles.

And don't let perceived qualification gaps deter you. Research shows that men often apply for jobs when they meet around 60% of the requirements, while women tend to wait until they meet nearly all of them. Embrace your strengths and go for it.

By consciously challenging these biases and fostering an inclusive environment, we can unlock significant growth and innovation within the tech industry.

Building cultures where every voice counts

In my experience, one of the primary challenges was ensuring my voice was heard - not necessarily due to the lack of people wanting to listen, but my own hesitance, particularly in a male-dominated environment where their voices are typically the loudest. This required (and still requires) a conscious effort to speak up and share my perspective in and out of meetings.

Building trust and understanding with my managers, many of whom have been male, has been vital in this process. I've learnt to communicate my working style – for instance, my need for time to process information before formulating a response – which means that I'm comfortable sharing my thoughts even after I've missed the 'moment' in a meeting.

It's crucial to create platforms for open communication and feedback beyond traditional meetings, and to remember that the loudest voice isn't always the most insightful.

Staying committed to progress

While we celebrate International Women's Day and the progress that has been made, it's also important to remember that there's still work to be done. Although the number of women in leadership roles has increased, there's still a 'glass ceiling' effect, with a notable lack of diversity at the top.

I hope to see a continued shift towards breaking barriers to equity, so that women are well-represented not only in the technology industry, but also at the highest levels of leadership. By focusing on talent above all else, giving people a chance, and fostering flexible, inclusive work environments, this is absolutely achievable.