Join us in celebrating Jedidah Karanja, Marketing Leader in B2B/B2C SaaS
and AI Strategist. She also serves on the Advisor Board for Community Bots focusing on bringing STEM and robotics to young women.Â
Let's learn more about AI from Jedidah:
Share your AI origin story
In December 2023, I stumbled upon a New York Times article about leaders in AI. Not surprisingly, it featured 12 of the usual male suspects in tech covered by the media and not one woman.
Disappointed, I vowed to use my small platform, my LinkedIn feed, to amplify women's voices in AI. I called the series Women In AI and published my first post about Fei-Fei Li, also known as the Godmother of AI.
Since then, I have dug deeper in my quest to amplify women's voices in AI and bring more women into the AI space through networking and community, education (sharing AI resources, tips, news, and tools), and inspiring storytelling.
Through this journey, which has included many AI-centered virtual and in-person events, guest blogging opportunities, curating LinkedIn summaries post events, and many more interactions with our women in AI community, I have achieved my goal not only amplifying women's voices but also encountered some of the most phenomenal women AI innovators and tech leaders. These women, from diverse backgrounds and roles, all share the common goal of ensuring that diverse voices are integral in shaping this revolutionary technology. This diversity empowers us and makes our work in AI so impactful.
Even more profoundly, I have found a deep connection and a strong sense of belonging in my professional and personal journey when I needed them the most. This sense of belonging is not just mine; but it's something we all share as part of the AI community. It's this sense of unity and shared purpose that makes our work in AI so powerful and meaningful.
What AI tools have been most game changing for you? Â
ChatGPT, NotebookLM, Napkin AI
If you were just starting your AI journey today where would you start?
1) Overcome the fear of the unknown by experimenting with an LLM like ChatGPT. The initial hurdle of learning a new technology can be daunting, but diving in headfirst can dispel these fears. Once you realize it's not as challenging as it seems, you'll gain confidence and everything else will fall into place.
2) Listen to select podcasts to stay updated on AI developments. Examples include The Artificial Intelligence Show with Paul Roetzer and Mike Kaput and Google Deepmind, The Podcast hosted by Hannah Fry
3) Subscribe to a few AI-focused newsletters, such as SuperHuman by Zain Kahn, TechCrunch, and AI Simplified for Leaders by Joyce Li. These newsletters will make you feel part of a supportive community, keeping you updated and inspired.
4) Join a community, such as Women x AI, and engage in virtual events, such as WxAISocialSaturday, and in-person events. You are guaranteed to learn something new daily and connect with phenomenal women interested in elevating their AI skills and those of other women. The excitement of learning from these communities will keep you engaged and motivated.
5) Find an AI course that is aligned with your goals to level up your AI skills.
6) Share your learnings with others. The best way to retain what you learn is to teach it to someone else.
7) Read books to help you better understand the AI landscape. Examples include Co-Intelligence by Ethan Mollick and Unmasking AI by Dr. Joy Buolwamini.
Share the spotlight: Name 3+ women leading in AI we should all follow.
As a woman in AI, what do you want our allies to know?
1) Their support matters: we cannot win the battle for a more inclusive AI space without their help. History shows that when our allies (namely men) fight alongside us, we are more likely to succeed at an accelerated pace.
2) By inviting women to speak at AI panels and other industry events, you're not just diversifying the stage but amplifying the power of representation. Be your guest hosts in your podcasts, live streams, and anywhere else where you have a captive audience not exposed to women AI leaders.
3) Your role in shaping the narrative is crucial. Write about women AI leaders in newsletters, articles, blogs, newspapers, and other publications. Let their stories inspire and guide the next generation of AI professionals.
4) Mentor, advocate, and champion women in your workplace, invite them to participate in AI-driven projects and give them the tools and resources to succeed
5) It's important to remember that championing for inclusivity in AI is not just a nice thing to do; it's good for business and society at large. By promoting diversity, we can foster innovation and create a more equitable future for all.
Special Series: Black History Month
How do you see your work contributing to the broader legacy of Black women in technology?
You cannot be what you cannot see. I see my work as a beacon of hope, opening doors for Black women and girls and inspiring them to pursue careers in AI and tech. My dream is to get to a place where I am not the only one in the room in the tech spaces I navigate professionally.
Black women bring a fresh and diverse perspective through our lived experiences. Organizations and teams stand to benefit from our voices, and the potential we bring to the table is boundless.
How can the AI community better engage underrepresented communities in shaping ethical AI practices?
1) It's crucial to immerse yourself in the spaces where underrepresented groups thrive. Join their communities, engage, and learn about their challenges, pain points, needs, and motivations. Your involvement can make a significant difference, so if you can, take action.
2) Tap into your network of people from underrepresented groups for your needs. Do you need a panelist, someone to fill a role, or a podcast or streaming guest? Ask someone from an underrepresented group to make a referral and an intro. 100% of the time, they belong to a group with a wealth of seasoned professionals.
3) Follow AI leaders from underrepresented groups on LinkedIn and other platforms where you have a presence, and engage with them whenever possible.
4) It's our responsibility to invite people from underrepresented communities to participate in AI-driven workplace projects. We must offer them the mentorship and training they need to succeed, ensuring that they are not left behind. This support is crucial in fostering a more inclusive and diverse tech industry.
What are your hopes for the next generation of Black women entering AI?
I hope the next generation of Black women does not have to fight so hard for their voices to be heard. I hope they don't have to fight so hard to have a seat at the table. I hope my daughters, who bust their behinds every day and work harder than everybody else to be the best at EVERYTHING they do, are never labeled as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion hires. Even when labeled as such, I hope they can brush it off, continue to shine, and understand that it is not a reflection of who they are.
How can we ensure that AI technologies benefit marginalized communities rather than perpetuate inequities?
1) Include marginalized communities in the development of AI technologies.
2) Ensure marginalized communities have a voice in AI policy and governance.
3) Make sure that AI technologies are easily accessible to marginalized communities.
4) Provide training in AI to marginalized communities to ensure they are not left behind.
Commenti