The new era of artificial intelligence (AI) has arrived, opening up a world of opportunity for significant progress, but also exposing the growing gender gap in digital literacy. UN Women highlights the major gender biases that have been identified in AI tools. In addition, the majority of tools are designed from a male perspective, further excluding women from usability. Interdisciplinary researchers were given access to the development stages of ChatGPT and its successor, GPT-4, and reported that "the solution may represent various societal biases and worldviews that may not be representative of the user's intent or widely shared values". As an entrepreneur, a woman, a mother, and a woman of color, I am committed to promoting inclusivity and equality in the business world.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a household name. All around us, businesses are increasingly leveraging AI for a wide range of uses. According to Allied Market Research, the global AI market size was valued at $65.48 billion in 2020, projected to reach $1,581.70 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 38%. However, when it comes to women in AI, a World Economic Forum report states that only 22% of AI professionals globally are female, compared to 78% male, which accounts for a gender gap of 72%. And there is ample room for growth.

Women in America are disproportionately under-served when it comes to financial products and services. They own less than 1% of the country's wealth, and they hold even less of their own assets. A new study from the UConn Women's Center for Research found that women entrepreneurs need more access to credit, training, and capital – including investments – if they want to grow their businesses. That's where AI can help. One of the fastest-growing markets in finance is financial management, where artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to make decisions for customers' investment portfolios.

We're excited to announce our 4th WiMLDS Montreal meetup presented and hosted by BDC! Whether you're a data professional or simply curious, you are welcome regardless of your technical level or your gender. The talks will be entirely in English. Agenda 6:00 pm -- Doors open 6:30 pm -- Talks 7:45 pm -- Panel 8:30 pm -- Networking Opening remarks Amy Pollard -- Analyst @ Strategic Investments & BDC Women in Tech Fund Amy is involved in all aspects of the deal process including sourcing and due diligence. She is also responsible for portfolio management activities including portfolio monitoring, reporting and bi-annual portfolio valuations. Since founding her first entrepreneurial venture as a teenager, Amy has actively volunteered in global entrepreneurial and tech communities through organizations such as Startup Canada, Startup Weekend, Startup Nations and Junior Achievement.

Robin Bylenga, 52, the founder and owner of Pedal Chic in Greenville, S.C., is the epitome of a smart, successful female entrepreneur. Before opening her women's cycling and athletic boutique in 2010, she worked for a bike shop to understand prospective customers. She invested $500 for a tiny inventory of women's biking apparel that she spun into $1,500 in sales at an area bike race. Bylenga also asked the Clemson Regional Small Business Development Center for advice, connected with a retired retail exec through the U.S. Small Business Administration's SCORE program and tapped her own network to find mentors. "I've had to push through at every stage, and there have been setbacks, but the demand is there and growing," says Bylenga, whose shop is profitable today.

If you're a female entrepreneur looking for resources, say Hello Alice. Launched by Dell and Circular Board, Hello Alice is a machine-learning platform designed for female entrepreneurs. The platform has a friendly, how-can-I-help-you approach, and offers information on strategy, financing, technology and other topics. It also connects women to mentors, experts and events. As more women use the platform, it will get smarter, eventually predicting a user's needs and offering targeted content based on a startup's size, location, industry and other factors.