Next up in our Q&A Series with some of our wonderful women at Methods, is Jan, Managing Consultant and responsible AI advocate...
Q. Are there barriers when it comes to women getting into tech?
Women in tech face systemic and cultural barriers, from education, gender stereotypes, lack of role models, workplace culture, to family responsibilities. The 2023 Women in Tech survey highlighted women represented just 26% of the UK tech industry.
I have experienced barriers as a single mum, faced penalties for career breaks, exclusion from social networks, observed education barriers, and encountered workplace discrimination in the UK and other countries. While some obstacles are now legislated against, cultural changes take longer.
It is crucial for the tech industry to challenge systemic barriers, create role models, and inspire future generations of technologists.
Q. What cutting-edge technologies are you currently implementing in your projects, and how are they solving real-world problems for your clients?
Over the last couple of years, I have been collaborating with several Government Departments and NGO’s, to identify potential AI solutions to common problems, creating proof of concepts to resolve them.
At Methods are using a myriad of AI techniques to optimise processes, enhance decision making and drive innovation, from machine learning for predictive analytics to natural language processing for customer service automation, and computer vision for quality control. These techniques and others enable us to solve complex problems more efficiently.
Q. How do you stay up to date with the latest developments in your field?
I collaborate with universities and organisations that are at the forefront of artificial intelligence. I follow industry news and blogs and attend webinars and conferences to learn from experts and meet up with like-minded professionals. I join forums and online communities and innovate where possible.
You can meet Jan alongside many more of our wonderful people at the Women of Silicon Roundabout held at the ExCeL London on the 27th and 28th November. Find out more.
We have a limited number of complimentary tickets to give away! These tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage you to respond quickly to secure your spot. To claim your free ticket or learn more about the event, please fill in this form here and one of our people will get back to you.