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Inspiring women in AI: Dr. Eve Poole
Dr. Eve Poole OBE chairs the Woodard Corporation, a family of independent and state schools committed to a Christian education.
There are too few female voices in the world of AI and we need yours...
She has written several books, including Robot Souls, which looks at developments in AI and discusses ideas of robot consciousness and the soul, and Leadersmithing. Both are subjects of popular TEDx talks.
She has a BA from Durham University, an MBA from the University of Edinburgh, and a PhD from the University of Cambridge.
In 2023, she was awarded an OBE for services to education and gender equality.
In this interview for our inspiring women in AI series, Eve highlights why the fundamental design of AI is flawed and explains how women can get started with AI tools at work and in life.
"The gender bias in AI is a huge risk - as are its other biases – so female persistence is vital to its future health"
What inspired you to pursue a career in AI and related fields?
Terror!
What recent or potential breakthroughs in AI are you most excited about?
The marriage of AI and robotics.
What potential risks or downsides of AI development concern you?
The fundamental design of AI is flawed because it does not take into account what we have learned about how risk is mitigated in our own design.
My book Robot Souls argues that we have left a lot of human "junk code" out of AI because we thought it was flawed design in us. But when you look closer, it turns out that these scorned properties have been vital to our own survival as an intelligent species.
We need to rediscover them fast, not only to restore our own humanity, but to help build better and more resilient AI.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in the AI field, and how have you overcome them?
Women in AI are either invisible or airbrushed out of panels, conferences and the public sphere. It is infuriating and unwarranted.
So women in AI have to just keep showing up, keep supporting each other, and keep vocal. And try not to get too angry!
The gender bias in AI is a huge risk – as are its other biases – so female persistence is vital to its future health.
What initiatives or changes would you like to see to encourage more women to enter the field of AI?
More visible senior women: women on every panel, in every meeting, and on every senior team.
What advice would you give to young women considering a career in AI?
Hold your nose and dive in.
What advice would you give to other women for getting started with using AI in their research, work, or life?
Familiarize yourself with the tools by using them.
Find key voices to follow on social media to keep up to date.
Please persist: there are too few female voices in the world of AI and we need yours.
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