Wisdom From The Women Leading The AI Industry, with Arina Curtis Of DataGPT

An Interview With David Leichner

Embrace and Drive Technological Obsession: Being in the AI space means having a passion for technology and its potential to create impact. Your enthusiasm for tech innovation is what will drive you forward. Let this obsession be the fuel that powers your journey in making a meaningful difference in the AI landscape.

As a part of our series about the women leading the Artificial Intelligence industry, I had the pleasure of interviewing Arina Curtis.

Arina Curtis has always used data analytics to develop practical solutions. Currently, as the CEO of DataGPT, Arina is focused on strategic go-to-market approaches, establishing key partnerships, and enhancing brand visibility. Her leadership at DataGPT highlights her unique ability to blend advanced technology with solid business strategy.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you share with us the ‘backstory” of how you decided to pursue this career path in AI?

I grew up in Astrakhan, in the south of Russia, always dreaming of moving to Moscow. My mother was my biggest supporter and did everything she could to help me get a good education. Excelling in mathematics, I was accepted to Moscow State University and received a full scholarship to study economics, fulfilling my dream. After my undergraduate degree, I went on to earn my master’s degree at the London School of Economics and Political Science. After I completed my education, I focused on analytical consulting, working for PricewaterhouseCoopers and leading projects for multi-billion dollar companies. After working at PWC for some time and wanting to expand my career in the US, I accepted a position as the Director of Strategy and Operations at US Mobile.

As early as I can remember, I have always felt inspired by how impactful data analysis can be for organizations. In all of my positions, data analytics has played a central role. In the course of this work, I saw the weaknesses of the current state of the art in data analysis first hand. Simply put, hard-core data science didn’t have a solution which easily brought actionable insights to decision makers efficiently. In 2021, I co-founded DataGPT, with the mission of empowering every person, in every role, in any industry, to use data to make decisions, big and small.

What lessons can others learn from your story?

Starting off in a small Russian town and determined to make my mark in the male-dominated world of management consulting and data analytics, I focused on building my career and overcoming many obstacles that were in the way. Fast-forward five years and I achieved my dreams in the US. The lesson to be learned is that, instead of looking at all the roadblocks in a negative light, I viewed each of them as opportunities for personal growth and never gave up.

I hope my story can teach others to view adversity as a chance for positive change and personal development! Life may throw you curveballs, but those unexpected challenges often become stepping stones to something even better.

Can you tell our readers about the most interesting projects you are working on now?

The most interesting project I am working on is DataGPT. I have always been interested in data analysis, and how it can positively impact a business. Our DataGPT AI Analyst unites the creative, comprehension-rich side of a LLM, with the logic and reasoning of advanced analytics to empower users to use data to make decisions, big and small. It’s extremely rewarding for me to see DataGPT serve a variety of markets, including UX, marketing, ad sales and customer service teams — across a wide range of B2B and B2C industries, such as fintech, e-commerce, gaming, media, entertainment and travel. I am excited to see where DataGPT will be in five to ten years, and look forward to continuing to focus on high-level strategic decision-making and long-term planning for the company!

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

I firmly believe that success is a shared journey, and I owe a great deal of gratitude to those around me. My mother, in particular, has been a cornerstone of support (going so far as to sell her jewelry to fund my education in Moscow) and providing invaluable help in the care of my daughter, enabling me to dedicate myself fully to my career.

What are the 3 things that most excite you about the AI industry? Why?

The AI industry is constantly changing in positive ways. Three things that excite me the most include:

• Technological development / new opportunities — AI is becoming more explainable and usable to those who are not directly involved in the industry. It is extremely promising to see the technological advancements that are being developed each day and the new opportunities that come with it. With these advancements, we see people who have yet to become familiar with AI incorporating it into their day-to-day lives. AI is not just for one field, but can help all different industries.
• Automation / streamlining operations — As businesses continue to integrate technology into their operations, AI can help automate tedious and time-consuming tasks. The benefits that excite me for others to explore include increased efficiency, reduced errors and allowing individuals to be able to focus on more high-level tasks.
• Problem solving — AI has the potential to tackle complex issues by analyzing data and identifying patterns.

What are the 3 things that concern you about the AI industry? Why?

Three things that concern me about the AI industry are:

• Misuse / abuse — The ethical use of AI technology is most definitely a top concern of mine. It worries me how AI has the potential to be misused in politics, cybersecurity attacks, human trafficking, etc. Further, cybercriminals can make it difficult for people to distinguish factual from false content.
• Mindset of AI taking your job — Many people worry that AI will replace their job, which is not a true threat. AI can most definitely automate and streamline processes for employees and make them more efficient, but it will not replace the nuanced skills and creativity that talented humans bring to their roles.
• Privacy concerns — Data ownership needs to be top of mind to make sure that people always have control over their own information.

As you know, there is an ongoing debate between prominent scientists, (personified as a debate between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg,) about whether advanced AI has the future potential to pose a danger to humanity. What is your position about this?

My stance on this debate is nuanced. I believe that the development and integration of AI into our lives is inevitable and holds the promise of significant benefits. However, it is crucial that all AI systems remain under human control and undergo rigorous evaluation to ensure they operate safely. Without these safeguards, there’s a risk that AI could produce misleading or inaccurate information and cause dangerous results to people. Ensuring that AI is developed with a clear understanding of these risks and is equipped with mechanisms to mitigate them is essential for harnessing its potential, while safeguarding humanity.

What can be done to prevent such concerns from materializing? And what can be done to assure the public that there is nothing to be concerned about?

I want to emphasize the importance of transparency. If AI-generated output has the potential for hallucinations, such results should be fully visible to the end user. Similarly, if the output might represent a particular idea or opinion that is inherently subjective, such a fact should also be transparent. It’s relatively straightforward with what DataGPT does, since we analyze numbers, making calculations quite transparent (and accuracy a binary result). However, there are a multitude of AI tools on the market that focus on generating creative text. This introduces distinctive difficulties in guaranteeing that the text remains objective and/or accurate.

AI should be controlled by humans. For example, with DataGPT — you get an exceptional AI Data Analyst, that answers any of your data-related questions, but it operates within the context of a schema that is solely configured by humans. So it helps to eliminate manual work, but humans set all of the rules.

How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world? Can you share a story?

When I first started out, I was navigating the job market in Russia as a single mother, with absolutely no financial cushion to fall back on. My journey from there, to pursuing my American dream in New York City was bold, to say the least. With my daughter and mom fully depending on me, and our savings far from substantial, the challenges seemed insurmountable. But, driven by determination and a bit of youthful courage, I took the leap.

I was incredibly fortunate to have people around me during those times who were more than just advisors. Their guidance on career choices and relentless encouragement were crucial in keeping me from giving up.

Having experienced firsthand the impact of this support, I’m now deeply committed to paying it forward. I have a particular empathy for hard-working women and legal immigrants who are striving to find their place. The journey is tough, and knowing that you’re not alone can make all the difference.

Today, my goal is to offer that same support and encouragement to others that I once received. Whether it’s sharing insights from my own experiences or simply being there to listen, I want to help others navigate their paths with a little more ease.

As you know, there are not that many women in your industry. Can you share 5 things that you would advise to other women in the AI space to thrive?

• Excellence Overcomes Bias: Focus on excelling in your field; your competence and contributions are what truly matter. Let your work speak for itself, rather than letting external factors define you. This principle is something I still hold dear today. I don’t let factors like being a woman or having a strong Russian accent define me. Instead, I firmly believe that what I bring to the table as a professional matters the most.
• Leverage Your Unique Strengths: You don’t need to fit into a specific mold to make an impact in AI. Not everyone needs to be an engineer. If your strengths lie elsewhere, embrace those strengths and build a supportive team around you. My journey in AI has been successful because I’ve focused on my strengths and trusted my technical team to do what they do best, creating powerful synergies.
• Seek Help and Mentorship: Don’t hesitate to ask for help and seek mentorship. AI is a rapidly evolving field, and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed or to miss out on the latest developments. Engage with the community, keep the dialogue going, and remember that it’s perfectly fine to admit when you don’t know something. There’s always someone willing to support and guide you.
• Be Honest About AI’s Limitations: It’s crucial to maintain a balanced view of AI’s capabilities and limitations. Instead of being an extreme promoter, focus on understanding and communicating the realistic potentials and challenges of AI. This honest approach will not only build trust, but also encourage a more thoughtful and effective application of emerging AI technologies.
• Embrace and Drive Technological Obsession: Being in the AI space means having a passion for technology and its potential to create impact. Your enthusiasm for tech innovation is what will drive you forward. Let this obsession be the fuel that powers your journey in making a meaningful difference in the AI landscape.

Can you advise what is needed to engage more women into the AI industry?

The first step to engaging more women in the AI industry is to encourage and support young women to pursue a STEM educational background. There are various programs that expose young girls to AI concepts and applications through workshops and education events. Also, I have found having mentors in the industry to be extremely valuable to me. I was able to seek guidance and feedback from those I looked up to, and they’ve been instrumental in my success as a woman in AI. I’d encourage other women to follow prominent AI leaders on social media; many are sharing their valuable experiences and building strong communities that will motivate others to get involved as well.

What is your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share a story of how that had relevance to your own life?

My favorite life lesson quote is the old Russian saying, “Who doesn’t take risks, never drinks champagne.” This perfectly mirrors my life, especially my decision to immigrate to the United States as a single mom and start my own business. Taking these risks has led me to where I am today, showing me that stepping into the unknown can lead to rewarding outcomes. This quote has been a guiding principle, encouraging me to embrace challenges and pursue my ambitions boldly.

How can our readers follow you on social media?

https://www.linkedin.com/in/arina-vlasova-739964aa/

Thank you so much for joining us. This was very inspirational, and we wish you continued success in your important work.

About The Interviewer: David Leichner is a veteran of the Israeli high-tech industry with significant experience in the areas of cyber and security, enterprise software and communications. At Cybellum, a leading provider of Product Security Lifecycle Management, David is responsible for creating and executing the marketing strategy and managing the global marketing team that forms the foundation for Cybellum’s product and market penetration. Prior to Cybellum, David was CMO at SQream and VP Sales and Marketing at endpoint protection vendor, Cynet. David is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Jerusalem Technology College. He holds a BA in Information Systems Management and an MBA in International Business from the City University of New York.