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Industry, Government & Academia Unite to Support Women in AI

Announcement posted by Jewelrock 27 Nov 2020

SYDNEY, Nov 27th - With just three weeks remaining to enter, excitement is building for the 2021 Women in AI Awards which continue to gather support across the Australian Business Community. 

The Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources has been joined by the Minerals Council of Australia, Western Sydney University, Lockheed Martin, and the University of Sydney in supporting wide-ranging recognition of Australian women breaking new ground in artificial intelligence (AI). 

The Women in AI Awards are also supported by The Monash Data Futures Institute, Salesforce, Microsoft, ServiceNow, CommBank, Telstra, CSIRO, and AIML. These awards, together with this broad-based support, will help encourage more women into AI across both industry and government, and honour & acknowledge those women already working in AI. 

Chief Executive of the Minerals Council of Australia Tania Constable said: "Technology means safer and more productive mining jobs. Attracting more women into our industry is essential to meet increasing demand for technical skills in areas like robotics and AI. The MCA is proud to sponsor the AI in Mining Award and celebrate the women leading our industry into the future."

It is real world applications, like improving both mine saftey and productivity, that make AI so important. Professor Simeon Simoff, Dean at WSU's School of Computer, Data and Mathematical Sciences agrees: "Artificial Intelligence has stepped confidently out of the research labs into everyday life, starting to alter the way we learn and work, entertain and dream. By identifying outstanding talent in AI Technology, Women in AI awards will certainly ensure that diverse voices have profound impact in shaping future AI systems."

The WAI Awards 2021 honours top Australian and New Zealand female innovators in AI. Hosted by multi-award-winning STEM journalist and Science and Technology Editor for NITV, Rae Johnston, the awards will be held on February 23rd at the Sydney Museum of Contemporary Art. 

Winners will benefit from endorsement, prestige, recognition, opportunities for collaboration, and extensive media exposure. 
The Grand Award Winner, and both runners-up, will also benefit from a cash prize, and one-on-one meetings with industry, academic and government leaders, and venture capitalists.

"Artificial intelligence has the potential to bring great change to the world and it is vital that we plan ahead so that we capture the benefits while mitigating the disruptions. Women in AI will play an important role in the coming years in guiding the development of this important technology and that is why I am delighted to be the Patron of the Advisory Group for the inaugural WAI Awards." Julie Bishop - Chancellor ANU & Former Foreign Minister of Australia.

For a full list of supporters and awards categories, plus information on how to enter, please visit ww.womeninai.co/waiawards2021aus-nz. 

ENDS

Pictured: Tania Constable PSM, Chief Executive Officer, Minerals Council of Australia
 



Professor Simeon Simoff, Dean at WSU's School of Computer, Data and Mathematical Sciences
 

IFIP Working Group



Media:
Andra Müller, Director Jewelrock
m: 0400 388 846
e: andra@jewelrock.com.au