Women in AI

• Blockchain Council
• March 04, 2025

With Women’s Day fast approaching, it’s the perfect opportunity to highlight some amazing women in the tech industry, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI). AI is no longer a futuristic concept, it’s already a huge part of our everyday lives, influencing everything from smartphones to the most advanced robots. And the incredible thing is that women are increasingly stepping into leadership roles, ensuring that this powerful technology benefits everyone. Let’s take a closer look at some trailblazing women who are shaping the future of AI!

1. Fei-Fei Li

Fei-Fei Li, often called the “godmother of AI,” has made groundbreaking contributions to the field. In September 2024, she co-founded World Labs, a company that raised an impressive $230 million from major investors, such as Andreessen Horowitz and Intel Capital. The focus of World Labs is developing AI that can comprehend the three-dimensional world, what’s known as “spatial intelligence.” This development will open up new possibilities for augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and robotics. In addition to her entrepreneurial work, Li continues her academic journey at Stanford University, where she leads innovative research.

2. Mira Murati

Mira Murati, previously the Chief Technology Officer at OpenAI, played an essential role in the creation of ChatGPT and other AI breakthroughs. In early 2025, she launched Thinking Machines Lab, a new AI startup that quickly captured attention by securing $1 billion in funding. The company’s valuation reached around $9 billion, and its mission is to create more accessible and customizable AI systems. With her leadership, Murati is driving AI innovation while attracting top-tier talent from across the tech industry.

3. Joelle Pineau

Joelle Pineau is the Vice President of AI Research at Meta and has been a key figure in advancing AI while advocating for greater transparency in its development. She leads a large team working on making AI technologies open-source and more widely available. One of Pineau’s main goals is to develop artificial general intelligence (AGI) that aligns with ethical standards, focusing on reducing bias in AI systems and ensuring they benefit all users equally.

4. Anima Anandkumar

Anima Anandkumar, a professor at Caltech, uses AI to address significant global problems. In February 2025, she was awarded the TIME100 AI Impact Award for her work on neural operators, a new framework for simulating physical processes. This technology has made a massive impact, with applications like FourCastNet, an AI-powered weather prediction model. FourCastNet is more accurate than traditional weather forecasting models, especially in predicting extreme events. Anandkumar’s vision for AI extends into fields such as drone technology, aerospace, and healthcare, pushing the limits of what technology can achieve.

5. Ada Lopez

Ada Lopez, head of Lenovo’s Product Diversity Office, is dedicated to making the tech world more inclusive. Originally from Cuba, Lopez overcame numerous personal obstacles to make a career that focuses on accessibility and equality. At Lenovo, she works with schools to improve product accessibility and leads AI-driven initiatives that ensure inclusivity for diverse groups. One of her team’s key projects was improving Lenovo’s video conferencing software to accommodate a broader range of users. Lopez also places great importance on mentorship for women in tech, creating networks that support and uplift them as they navigate the industry’s challenges.

Recent Trends and Initiatives in AI

Female-Led AI Startups

The rise of women-led AI startups has been a thrilling trend. For example, Charlotte Williams’ company, Econic, raised £50 million to develop new ways of turning CO2 waste into useful materials. Meanwhile, Sarah Ellerby leads Nova Pangaea Technologies, which has successfully raised £16 million to develop sustainable biofuels.

Tackling Gender Bias in AI

AI systems have been known to reflect and sometimes even amplify gender biases, but many organizations are now actively working to address this issue. The Algorithmic Justice League, for example, is at the forefront of pushing for AI technologies that are more balanced and equitable. To make the most of AI and its powers, it’s important to enroll into certification programs like Certified Artificial Intelligence (AI) Expert™.

AI as a Tool for Gender Equality

AI has significant potential to advance gender equality in the workplace. By automating repetitive tasks, AI can free up time for women to focus on career development and leadership roles. The key is to ensure AI systems are designed in a way that does not reinforce the biases of the past but instead serves as a force for positive change. And for that, you need to enroll into expert-led AI certification programs like the Certified AI Powered Coding Expert.

Amazon’s Alexa+ and Female Engineers

Amazon made waves on February 26, 2025, by launching Alexa+, an advanced version of its voice assistant. What’s especially exciting is that women engineers played an integral role in building this smarter version of Alexa, particularly the generative AI features that allow Alexa to engage in more natural conversations. The contributions of these women behind the scenes highlight the important role of female talent in creating the tech we use every day.

DeepSeek’s AI Model and Women in Tech

In China, the AI company DeepSeek unveiled an advanced AI model, R1’s successor, on February 26, 2025. This model is designed to tackle complex tasks more effectively, and, notably, several women researchers were instrumental in this project. The fact that women are leading the charge in China’s AI race is a sign of just how important diverse talent is to global innovation.

Challenges and Moving Forward

While progress is evident, several challenges remain in achieving gender parity in AI. The tech industry, particularly in AI, is often criticized for its male-dominated culture, which can make it harder for women and non-binary individuals to thrive. Overcoming this “bro culture” is necessary to build a more inclusive environment that encourages diverse talent.

There are also concerns about bias in the AI systems themselves. Many AI models are trained on data that is inherently biased, which can perpetuate inequalities in areas like hiring or healthcare. A diverse team of developers is essential to avoid such issues and ensure AI systems are as fair and accurate as possible. Certifications like the Certified Artificial Intelligence (AI) Developer™ equip you with the necessary skills and resources to lead such a team. 

Barriers to Female Participation

• Educational Pipeline: Fewer women pursue degrees in STEM fields, particularly in computer science. This is often due to societal expectations and a lack of role models.
• Workplace Barriers: Women in AI often face biases, pay discrepancies, and workplace environments that aren’t supportive of their growth.
• Bias in AI: AI models trained on skewed data may reflect societal gender biases, which can impact critical areas such as hiring and healthcare.
• Lack of Visibility: The work of women in AI is often overlooked or undervalued, which limits their potential as role models.
• Work-Life Balance: The demanding nature of AI work can disproportionately affect women who are also managing caregiving duties.

The Importance of Diversity in AI

Diversity is more than just a moral obligation, it’s a practical necessity. Research has shown that diverse teams perform better in problem-solving and innovation. In the context of AI, where the technology impacts billions of lives, having varied perspectives is vital for:

• Reducing Bias: Women are more likely to recognize gender biases that could affect AI outcomes.
• Boosting Creativity: Different life experiences bring fresh ideas that lead to innovative AI solutions.
• Building Trust: Creating AI systems that are inclusive and fair fosters public trust.

As highlighted by a 2020 Deloitte report, diverse AI teams are better at identifying and correcting biases, ensuring that these technologies are more effective and equitable.

Wrapping Up

Women are making significant contributions to the world of AI. From pioneering research to groundbreaking startups, they are reshaping the industry in ways that will have lasting impacts. However, achieving gender equity in AI requires ongoing efforts from all sectors, including industry leaders, policymakers, and educational institutions. By creating more inclusive environments, addressing systemic biases, and encouraging diverse perspectives, we can ensure that AI continues to improve the lives of everyone, regardless of gender.