Riding the Next Wave of Computing, Why I Encourage Women to Use AI
AI is everywhere.
The AI hype cycle has accelerated ever since OpenAI released ChatGPT in November 2022. AI hype comes and goes and with each swing of the pendulum, it becomes a bit stronger. It becomes more prominent. We find AI more ingrained in the fabric of our lives.
AI is for everyone.
I believe there should be diversity in the rooms where decisions about AI are being made. We can choose to use AI as an equalizer, or we can let it magnify the disparities we currently face. More people using and developing AI more equality.
AI is expanding the economy.
AI is impacting stock prices and driving the S&P 500. Nvidia’s market cap is bigger than most countries. The AI market is projected to keep growing in the long term, with expected growth to $407 billion by 2027, as reported by Forbes.
Diversity = More Revenue
Studies show, time and time again, that diverse teams make more money. Diverse teams produce financial returns 33% higher than the industry mean according to a McKinsey study.
It’s the right thing to do and it improves the bottom line. If you’re wondering why diverse teams make more money, it’s because of the different perspectives on the team.
As Kim Carson, Founder and CEO of Parallax Futures puts it, “Would you want to be in an escape room with people who are just like you?”
No, you wouldn’t. Having people with different perspectives will help you crack the codes, solve the riddles and escape faster. The same thing applies to your company’s strategic plan. You’re going to be able to achieve it faster with a diverse team.
This shows how essential it is to have diverse teams working on building AI solutions.
AI Can be an Equalizer
AI is a tool, and we get to choose to use it to drive equity and inclusion. To me, the first step in doing that is getting more diverse people to use AI. Using AI is the first step in getting in the rooms where AI decisions are made.
That’s why I co-founded Women And AI, podcast and community with Reut Lazo and Lana A. Dubinskiy. Our mission is to empower women to lead, innovate, and help shape the future of AI.
We’re changing the narrative and inviting more women to get involved with AI. We’re driving change one podcast, one panel discussion, one person at a time.
Let’s work together to use AI to help equalize the inequalities we face in our society.
Building an AI First Organization
Women And AI is an AI first organization. That means for everything we do; we try and do it with AI at first. From the logo to website and the developing workshop content to shaping our organizational strategy. Everything starts with AI.
We work in partnership with AI. It’s an iterative process. We have many rounds of revisions. Going back and forth, like we would with a human teammate. You don’t have to be stuck with the first version and AI provides. It’s not the end just a starting point because you get to be the human in the loop providing direction and oversight.
We believe everyone should be using AI and we try to lead by example.
Some AI tools we’ve found helpful:
Each of us has our own favorite AI tools. There are so many to choose from. Dividing the generative AI tools into text and image is the first step to finding the tools that's right for your need. Keep in mind some tools like Meta.ai do both image and text.
Text based tools
For large language models (LLMs) I often gravitate toward Perplexity, ChatGPT, Latimer.ai, Pi.ai.
Perplexity is a powerhouse for research and a leader in transparency in AI models.
ChatGPT the first generative AI chatbot to the scene. It’s the OG. They have first mover advantage.
Latimer.ai was built to more accurately reflect the experience, culture and history of Black and brown people.
Pi.ai was built to have more emotional intelligence. Its responses feel softer and more approachable to me.
Image based tools
For image generation I am a huge fan of Adobe Firefly, Midjourney, and Meta.ai. Depending on what I am generating different image models work better.
Adobe Firefly is great for augmenting your logo or for making really creative images.
Midjourney gives you a ton of control and a nice output but can be tricky for new users.
Meta.ai is easy to use and you don’t run out credits.
It’s common for these models to struggle with human faces and fingers. It’s also common for them to add an extra arm or leg. Sometimes generated images just look off and that’s where you come in. You can do many rounds of revisions you can also try the same prompt on different models this will help you get the image you’re looking for.
Another consideration is that every time a model is updated there is a change in the quality of the output. Sometimes it improves sometimes it doesn’t.
AI is for Everyone
The AI wave is here, and I hope together we can encourage more women to ride the wave. Having diverse opinions in the rooms where decisions about the next era of computing are being made will help us find more diverse and inclusive solutions for the AI era.
AI is everywhere.
AI is for everyone.
AI is expanding the economy.
Grab your metaphorical AI surfboard and join us as we work to get more gender diversity in the rooms where AI is being created.
Want more Women And AI? Follow us on LinkedIn and tune into our podcast where we shine the light on Women leading in the field of AI.
