VentureBeat announced the winners of the seventh annual Women in AI Awards during the VB Transform conference held in San Francisco on June 25, 2023. These awards highlight the achievements of women leaders and innovators in the artificial intelligence sector. The nominees were put forward by the public, and winners were selected by a committee based on their commitment to the industry, efforts to promote inclusivity, and their overall impact on the community.
The awards ceremony was hosted by Emilia David, VentureBeat’s senior AI writer, alongside the associate managing editor. “We’re thrilled to present the seventh annual Women in AI awards,” David remarked. She emphasized the importance of recognizing those who work behind the scenes to drive transformation in the industry.
Awards Recognizing Innovation and Leadership
One of the awards honors a woman who has founded a company that shows promise in AI. This year, Natalya Lopareva, the CEO and founder of Algorized, received this recognition. Her technology, developed from research at the University of Zurich, focuses on locating individuals after natural disasters, showcasing its potential to save lives across various applications. In her acceptance speech, Lopareva stated, “At Algorized, we utilize AI for people sensing, enabling physical AI at the intersection of human and machine.” She dedicated the award to her team and the remarkable women at the company.
Another category celebrates a woman who has significantly impacted AI research. This year’s honor went to Lindsay Richman, the CEO of Vibrissa AI (formerly Innerverse AI). Richman leads a team dedicated to sensor and biometric data applications, advancing research in areas such as longevity and cellular health. In her acceptance speech, she explained, “A vibrissa is a whisker that detects vibration. My company has focused on sensor research to utilize vibrations for recording events, aiming to streamline processes that are currently hindered by hardware limitations.” Richman expressed enthusiasm for supporting fellow women at the conference.
Mentorship and Responsible AI
Another award recognized a woman who mentors others in the AI field. Suruchi Shah, engineering manager of the model serving team at LinkedIn, was honored for her contributions. Although she could not attend the ceremony, Shah conveyed her gratitude in a statement: “I’m deeply honored by this recognition – it belongs to the brilliant women I’ve mentored. Together we’re proving that an inclusive, supportive community is the fastest path to breakthrough AI innovation.”
The award for exemplary leadership in the emerging field of responsible AI was presented to Stephanie Cohen, chief strategy officer at Cloudflare. Cohen, who sent a video acceptance message, highlighted the importance of responsible AI in creating a sustainable internet. “Our global network now has GPUs in over 190 cities, making AI fast and accessible to everyone around the world,” she stated, reinforcing Cloudflare’s commitment to fostering an environment where AI innovation can thrive.
Finally, Arina Vlasova, CEO of DataGPT, received recognition for her leadership in the early stages of her AI career. DataGPT provides a conversational platform for users to interact with their data using natural language. In her acceptance speech, Vlasova expressed her determination, saying, “DataGPT was started as a bold idea to build the world’s first AI data analyst. What is truly meaningful in life is always hard, and what matters is to have vision, grit, and to keep going. To all the women out there, go over it, lead it, build it. You’ve got it.”
VentureBeat congratulates all nominees and winners of the Women in AI Awards. This initiative raises awareness of the significant contributions women are making in the AI landscape, transforming the field for future generations.
