Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the industries and how we think about innovation and technology. While we’re still at this point in the transformation, we need to recognise and encourage the role of women in AI.In a special track during AWS re:Invent 2024, the women paving the way for generative AI were also celebrated. Inspiring founders and investors from a wide range of backgrounds discussed the dire need for funding, representation and the future of AI at this thought-provoking conference.

Women and AI Understanding the Landscape  Home

Technology has improved, but gender inequalities still exist. For instance, only 2% of venture capital investment funds women-led businesses. Danielle Gorman of AWS Startups also spoke of the need for structural reform, noting that only 11% of venture capital companies in the world are headed by women.

And conferences such as AWS re:Invent are great for raising women’s voices and building the communities of female founders that inspire the next generation of leaders to climb above the walls.

Empowered Women Founders at the Cutting Edge of AI

These amazing women joined the panel, and each brought their own story to share:

Belinda Batdorf – HubbleIQ

As COO and Co-Founder of HubbleIQ, a company re-imagining IT services with AI. Belinda is redefining IT support with AI. HubbleIQ also saves money and increases productivity because it allows users to troubleshoot themselves.She has an Africa-informed view of the world that drives her IT innovations.

Jessica Powell – AudioShake

Jessica Powell, Audio Shake CEO, explained how her company’s AI-based sound-splitting system is changing the way that media workflows are conducted. Jessica, who worked at Google for more than 10 years, talked about how generative AI is huge for creative sectors and how you have to keep fighting misperceptions.

Helen Altshuler – EngFlow

Helen Altshuler, Co-Founder of Engflow, a startup dedicated to enahncing the productivity of developers with AI-powered infrastructure tools. With her strong engineering and software development background, she highlights the power of AI to accelerate, efficient and accurate coding

Navigating the Challenges of Fundraising 

Even for most women-founded startups, getting funding is a challenge. The panelists shared valuable strategies:

• Develop a Strong Network: Connect with other people who are in your network and will offer you advice and help.
• Be Strategic about Reach: Reach out to investors who like women-owned companies.
• Capitalize on Accelerator Initiatives: Initiatives such as AWS Startups provide you with resources and visibility without forfeiting your equity.
• Prioritize Customer Traction: Building strong customer relationships helps build investor confidence.
• Highlight Special Features: State what special feature your product provides.

The Dear Ella Project: Empowering the Next Generation

Lily Xu started the Dear Ella Project, a portrait series of tech-savvy and entrepreneurial young women. In highlighting their successes, the campaign gives hope to future generations and guarantees inclusion in fields where women are often underrepresented.

Future of Women in AI – The Road Ahead

The more AI develops, the more women will need to play a role in its development. Things such as AWS re:Invent 2024 are not celebrations but calls to action — reminding us to embrace AI diversity and innovation.

By giving women the power to be a leader, it helps diversify the field and help people to come together and find solutions and realise AI’s potential.

Conclusion

The Empowering Women in AI session at AWS re:Invent 2024 brought to light what can be created when diversity, innovation and opportunity meet. In elevating women in tech, we build an AI that is more englobeable and creative.

Let’s never stop celebrating the success of women in technology — by mentoring, funding, and participating in projects like these. All of us can collectively create a world in which all voices can lead and move.

Read more on AWS re:Invent and to check out AWS Startups and support women in AI and tech.