Empowering Women with AI: Insights from Industry Leaders

Allura Partners recently hosted the ‘Empowering Women with AI’ event in collaboration with Tyro Payments. Industry leaders came together to discuss the role of women in artificial intelligence, the challenges of bias in AI development and the opportunities that the rapid evolution of this technology presents.  

The panel featured prominent voices in AI and technology, including Terri Diegelman, Head of Technology at Tyro Payments, Dominick Ng, Director of Engineering at Relevance AI; Wendy Zveglic, VP of Engineering at Fluent Commerce; and Shai Haim, CTO at Karbon. 

The discussion was moderated by Jody Weir, who guided an engaging and thought-provoking conversation on the gender gap in AI, the importance of diversity in shaping future technologies, and how women can equip themselves to thrive in an AI-driven world. 

The Persistent Gender Gap in AI 

One of the most striking discussions of the night revolved around the stark gender imbalance in AI and technology more broadly. Wendy did not hesitate to state the reality of the situation, "Is there a gender gap in AI? Absolutely, yes," she said.  

The statistics confirm this. Only 29 per cent of Australia's technology workforce are women, and fewer than 12 per cent of leadership roles in technology are held by women. In addition to this underrepresentation, women in tech also face a significant pay gap, earning on average $25,000 less than their male counterparts. 

Dominick noted that this pattern is not new. He pointed to the early days of computing when women were the first programmers, conducting complex calculations for space programs and military operations. However, as technology became more lucrative and prestigious, the field shifted towards male dominance. “We've seen this happen repeatedly; when an industry becomes commercially valuable, women are pushed to the sidelines," he said. The AI revolution presents a crucial moment to ensure that history does not repeat itself. 

AI is Already Here, and Women Must Engage Now 

The speakers felt a strong sense of urgency about the need for women to engage with AI as it continues to develop. Wendy made it clear that AI is no longer a distant concept but a present reality, "People say AI is coming. No. It’s already here." 

The evening's MC, Jody Weir, reinforced this by highlighting the many ways AI is embedded in daily life. From Google Maps to Netflix recommendations, AI is constantly shaping decision-making processes. However, she pointed out that the difference will be between those who use AI and those who understand how to work with it, “The more comfortable you are with AI now, the more you'll be able to leverage it in the future,” she said. 

Wendy encouraged women to start engaging with AI tools, even in small ways, such as using ChatGPT or experimenting with automation in their workflows. The key, she stressed, is to move beyond hesitation and start learning by doing. 

Why Diverse Teams Matter 

A critical issue raised during the discussion was the bias inherent in AI models, which often reflect the inequalities and prejudices of the society in which they are created. Shai explained that AI models are trained on vast datasets collected from the internet, which means they inherit and amplify existing biases. “Society favours men, so the internet favours men, so the data favours men. AI models are trained on that data, it’s no surprise they have bias, too," he explained. 

While acknowledging that bias in AI is a complex issue, Shai outlined several ways to mitigate it. One solution is ensuring that AI teams are diverse so that different perspectives are considered during the development process. "If men are the only ones building AI models, the biases will persist. We need women and diverse voices at the table to challenge assumptions, test outputs, and ensure AI is built for everyone, not just a subset of the population," he said. 

Terri, emphasised the role that consumers and businesses play in pushing for fairer AI. If companies recognise that biased AI is unacceptable to their users, they will be forced to address these issues. "If an AI model is biased, simply don't use it. Businesses will be forced to fix it because AI is a product at the end of the day, and products have to meet market demand," she said. 

AI Development Presents a Unique Opportunity for Women  

One of the defining characteristics of AI's evolution is its speed of advancement. Shai pointed out that AI is developing much faster than previous technological revolutions, creating an opportunity for those willing to engage with it early, “This thing is moving way faster than anything we’ve ever seen,” he said. 

He also noted that this speed of change levels the playing field. Since AI is still relatively new, even established professionals are continuously learning. “There's no ‘ten-year AI expert’; we’re all figuring this out as we go. That means this is the perfect time for women to break in," he said. 

The panel emphasised the importance of curiosity, experimentation, and confidence for women looking to enter the AI space. Wendy encouraged attendees to adopt a mindset of exploration, stressing that engagement with AI does not require immediate expertise. “You don’t need to be an expert, you just need to start. Use AI tools, play around, and find ways to incorporate it into your work,” she said. 

Breaking into AI Without a Technical Background 

Attendees raised a key concern about how to break into AI without prior experience. Wendy reassured the audience, “AI isn't just for engineers. It needs thinkers, testers, designers, and strategists.”  

Terri also pointed out the importance of confidence when applying for AI-related roles. Women often hesitate to apply for jobs unless they meet 100 percent of the listed qualifications, whereas men typically apply when they meet just 60 percent. “Stop waiting. AI is moving too fast for anyone to be a complete expert; just start,” she said. 

The panel advised taking small but deliberate steps to get involved. These could include experimenting with AI tools, taking online courses, attending industry events, and seeking mentorship from experienced professionals. The key takeaway was that proactive engagement is more valuable than passive observation. 

Final Thoughts: Seizing the AI Opportunity 

The AI revolution presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge lies in ensuring that women are not once again pushed to the margins of a major technological shift. However, the opportunity is equally significant. This is a chance to shape AI from within, making it more inclusive, ethical, and representative of diverse perspectives. 

The panel left the audience with a powerful message as the event concluded.  

AI is shaping the future of work, decision-making, and innovation. The question is no longer whether AI will be a part of our lives but who will have a say in how it is built and used. Women have an opportunity to be at the forefront of this transformation. The only requirement is to start.