Winners of Women in AI Awards demonstrate how a “diverse workforce equals diverse solutions”

There’s a huge pool of talented women working in artificial intelligence in Australia, making essential contributions and leading on key innovations in this booming industry — so the Australia and New Zealand Women in AI Awards were always going to be competitive.

With an impressive lineup of finalists in a mix, the winners of these awards have been named, including a broad range of work and industries highlighted across the list.

Gender equality in AI has been identified as a key priority area by the World Economic Forum, given the absolute necessity for diversity among the teams creating this tech.

As such, these awards highlight and elevate key female talent in this space, celebrating the work of nominees and finalists to inspire more women and girls into the field and to also ensure such contributions get the spotlight they deserve.

“This room is just the start,” said presenter Catriona Jackson, the chief executive of Universities Australia.

The Grand Award — for the Women in AI Innovator of the Year — went to  Jamila Gordon, chief executive and founder of Lumachain, who also took home the AI in manufacturing award. She told the audience that the awards will encourage more women and girls into AI, and encouraged everyone in the room to make that mission a priority.

The second runner up for the award went to Fiona Turner, co-founder and chief executive of Bitwise Agronomy.

And the first runner up went to Dr Michelle Perugini, co-founder and chief executive of Presagen.

Speaking at the event, prior to this week’s Cabinet reshuffle, Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the industry must creative an inclusive culture in AI.

“As you know, the challenge is not a lack of talented and inspiring women in STEM. Ensuring women are supported to thrive in AI, and celebrating them to inspire our next generation of women, is where more action is needed,” she said.

Also speaking at the event, Australian Chief Scientist Cathy Foley said: “It is important to raise the profile of amazing women in future technologies, to have a truly diverse workforce. A diverse workforce equals diverse solutions.”

The award category winners included:

Category Winners

• AI in Finance Award  – Wen Chen, CSIRO Data61
• AI in Health Award – Dr Michelle Perugini, co-founder and chief executive, Presagen
• AI in Defence Award – Squadron Leader Kate Yaxley, Royal Australian Air Force
• AI in Education Award –Dr Beena Ahmed, senior lecturer, School of Electrical Engineering & Telecommunications UNSW
• AI in Infrastructure – Distinguished Professor Fang Chen, executive director, data Science, UTS
• AI in Mining – Juliette Murphy, co-founder and chief executive, FloodMapp
• AI in Manufacturing – Jamila Gordon, founder and chief executive, Lumachain
• AI in Innovation – Yolande Strengers, associate professor of digital technology and society, Monash University
• AI in Agribusiness – Fiona Turner, co-founder and chief executive, Bitwise Agronomy
• AI in Law – Aurelie Jacquet, chair, IT-043 Standards Committee on AI
• AI in Cyber Security – Dr Lina Yao, scientia associate professor, UNSW

This article was first published by Women’s Agenda.