“As a woman in tech, I often hear that there are just not enough women in the industry to choose from, says Perla Villareal, a recent graduate of the Samsung Innovation Campus, describing why she jumped at the chance to be part of it., She Having recently finished a course in artificial intelligence (AI), she adds emphatically, “This programme and cohort have proven that is simply not the case.”

The World Economic Forum has noted that about 78% of global AI professionals are male. With estimates putting AI’s potential contribution to the global economy at $15.7 trillion by 2030, this lack of diversity poses significant challenges, not least the potential to create an inequitable future—both economically and for the industry.

30-year-old Perla, a tech consultant from Houston and a first-generation American and Latina, is certain that the gender gap in AI can be closed, and she sees Samsung Innovation Campus as a “phenomenal” opportunity. Consisting of a seven-month virtual curriculum designed by Samsung Electronics America, it offers millennial and Gen Z women like her practical education in emerging technologies and enhance their employment prospects,with the second programme having launched in November 2022.

Perla sees AI skills as a critical tool, and the recently concluded AI course, rooted in problem-based learning, was just what she needed. “When engaging with clients and understanding their business needs, it’s important for me to have an understanding of a large array of possible approaches for designing the appropriate solution—and AI should be one of them.”

Like Perla, Natia Lollie, a 29-year-old African American also from Texas, is thrilled by Samsung’s decision to offer the programme to women from across America. “The lack of diversity in the technology industry has been a long-standing issue, and Samsung’s initiative to bring about inclusivity and diversity in the space is a significant step in the right direction,” she says.

Encouraging women to find their place in the development and governance of AI and machine learning is, to Natia, important not just to “ensure diverse perspectives and reduce bias,” but also to “promote representation by ensuring that all voices are heard.”

Passionate about AI and robotics, Natia found herself especially enjoying the course work on neural networks and deep learning as it broadened her understanding of how AI and machine learning can be used to advance the field of robotics. She hopes ultimately to launch a career in computer vision.

Perla, meanwhile, has particularly enjoyed the course work on AI and ethics, a field still in its infancy. “It’s such an important, interesting, and intricate space. AI comes with a lot of ethical implications and unprecedented discussions that need to be led by a diverse group of people,” she says. “That includes us: women, Latinas.”