Women in AI Australia has officially launched in a bid to champion equal representation of women in AI.
The official launch of Australia’s first not-for-profit organisation for women in AI will ensure the inclusion, leadership, and equal participation of women and girls as AI rapidly transforms every corner of society.
Founded on the belief that the AI revolution must be shaped by diverse voices, Women in AI Australia Ltd was established by three female leaders and advocates; CREDuED CEO Nikki Meller, small business and communities expert Amanda Rose and AI expert Dr. Juliana Peloche.
“We founded Women in AI to act as the voice for women in AI from cities to regional and remote communities,” said Nikki. “AI already has a massive impact on how we live and work, but once again women risk being left behind due to myriad societal barriers.”
“There are many advantages to more women having a say in the future of AI integration,” she adds. “Global distrust of AI remains strong, and the safe and responsible use of AI will become increasingly important as uptake increases.”
Women make up 49 per cent of the workforce but remain significantly under-represented in technical occupations with a participation rate of roughly 20 per cent. Despite strong performance and early interest, women don’t opt for technical pathways at the same rate as men every stage.
Common barriers to women in AI/tech include technological illiteracy, cultural factors, systematic barriers, exclusion from AI policy frameworks and lack of training.
Other mind boggling stats include: half of women surveyed said they chose their careers based on what others expected of them. Sadly as early as age 12-13 girls 66 per cent of girls report feeling ‘not smart enough’ for STEM.
At the same time a McKinsey survey found almost all respondents said their organisations are using AI, and many have begun to use AI agents which demonstrates how quickly AI is moving beyond pilot programs into core systems across industries.
“There is an urgent need for advocates to push for responsible, transparent, and equitable AI development,” said Rose. “If we don’t act now, we risk building an AI powered future that doesn’t reflect half the population’s perspective. Our mission to connect and empower women and girls across Australia whether in education, business, or their local communities will bridge that gap before it becomes more entrenched.”
Women in AI Australia will drive systemic change by offering a range of practical initiatives and policy leadership. For women in the community following the organisation at the grassroots level there will be workshops and events to provide hands-on career training, funding pathways, mentorship and networking opportunities.
Organisations can engage with Women in AI through consulting and advisory services to build more gender diverse AI strategies. Women in AI will also push for safe, transparent, and responsible AI usage across education, corporations, and government through advocacy and policy submissions.
In particular the organisation is committed to amplifying voices from regional and remote communities where women and girls typically lack access to the same opportunities as their urban peers.
“We want to ensure no one is left behind and we want professionals who use AI in their roles to do so responsibly. Whether they’re based in the city or in a remote town, in a school or a boardroom, women offer a fresh perspective to problem solving, empathy and a collaborative mindset,” concluded Nikki.
“By supporting women in AI, we are supporting a future where AI use is transparent, safe, and beneficial for all.”
