The War on AI: A Provocative Look at the Women Leading the Charge
In a world where artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming industries and societies, it’s time to take a hard look at the women who are leading the charge. And let’s be real, it’s about time. For too long, men have dominated the AI space, leaving women to fight for scraps. But not anymore. We’re shining a spotlight on the women who are making a difference, and we’re not holding back.
Meet Charlette N’Guessan, the Data Solutions and Ecosystem Lead at Amini
Charlette is a force to be reckoned with. She’s the co-founder and former lead of Bace API, a secure identity verification system that uses AI-powered facial recognition technology to combat online identity fraud. She’s also an AI expert consultant at the African Union High Level Panel on Emerging Technologies, working on the AU-AI continental strategy to shape the AI governance landscape in Africa.
How She Got Her Start in AI
Charlette’s journey in AI began with a passion for using technology to build solutions that would positively impact her communities. She relocated to Ghana in 2017, where she aimed to learn from the anglophone market and kickstart her tech entrepreneurial journey. Her startup, Bace API, was born out of a desire to address online identity fraud and facial recognition biases in the African context.
What She’s Most Proud Of
Charlette is proud of her journey as a deep tech entrepreneur, building an AI-driven startup in Africa, a notoriously challenging endeavor. She’s also proud of the work she’s doing at Amini, tackling the challenge of data scarcity on the African continent. Her team has developed a solution using space technology and AI to make data accessible and comprehensible, a game-changer for the African market.
Navigating the Challenges of the Male-Dominated Tech Industry
Charlette’s had her fair share of challenges in the male-dominated tech industry. She’s faced skepticism and doubt, told she’s in the wrong industry because of her gender. But she’s not buying it. She knows that women have made remarkable contributions to science, leading to some of the most impactful technological advancements society is benefiting from today.
Advice for Women Seeking to Enter the AI Field
Charlette’s advice to women seeking to enter the AI field is to focus on their learning and skills acquisition. She emphasizes the importance of understanding that the industry may expect them to demonstrate their capabilities more intensely compared to their male counterparts. But she’s confident that investing in their skills will boost their confidence and resilience.
The Most Pressing Issues Facing AI
Charlette identifies several pressing issues facing AI, including challenges in articulating its short-term and long-term impacts on humans. She questions what the future of humans in the AI loop will be, who should be held accountable for AI model outcomes, and what an AI responsibility and ethical framework means.
What AI Users Should Be Aware Of
Charlette reminds us that we’re all first AI users, interacting with AI solutions in various ways. She advises us to be cautious about the data we share, to verify the source of generated content, and to be mindful of becoming overly dependent on AI tools.
Building Responsible AI
Charlette emphasizes the importance of context, accessibility, accountability, explainability, and data privacy and safety when building responsible AI. She advocates for investors to look beyond trends and evaluate AI solutions at both the technical and impact levels.
Conclusion
Charlette N’Guessan is a force to be reckoned with in the AI space. Her passion, determination, and expertise are inspiring, and her advice is invaluable. As we move forward in this rapidly evolving field, it’s essential to acknowledge the challenges women face and to provide equal opportunities for them to thrive. We’re not just talking about AI; we’re talking about a future where women are at the forefront of innovation and leadership.
