Bradfield Centre panellists share insights on AI-adjacent challenges and opportunities for women

Ahead of The Bradfield Centre’s Women in AI due to take place ahead of International Women’s Day, panellists have shared about their experience and insights into the challenges women face in their business activities.

The March 6 event brings together a four female AI experts in a session chaired by Jane Hutchins, director of Cambridge Science Park.

This year, International Women’s Day is on 8 March – Saturday. In Cambridge, events have been organised at the Bradfield Centre (Thursday) and at Cambridge Judge Business School (Thursday and Friday).

At the Bradfield Centre from 12 noon to 2pm in the auditorium, there will be talks and a panel session on women and AI. Chaired by Jane Hutchins, the director of Cambridge Science Park, the session features four women who work on the Park, who kindly agreed to a Q&A.

First up is Sukhpreet Kaur Virdi. Asked how gender parity can be accelerated, Suki replied: “I believe accelerating gender parity requires focused, actionable efforts across education, policy, work, and culture. Drawing from my experiences in navigating both cultural and professional challenges, the key strategies that can significantly speed up progress include creating Inclusive workspaces, investing in early STEM education, encouraging leadership opportunities, and leveraging technology to address bias – so for instance AI has the power to amplify change, but only if developed with fairness and diversity at its core.”

Suki lived and worked in Italy for a while. Are the challenges for businesswomen in Italy different from those in the UK?

“From my perspective as a woman of Indian origin who studied and worked in Italy and now works in the UK, the challenges for businesswomen differ significantly between the two countries, largely due to cultural and organisational dynamics.

“In Italy, the workplace culture is less diverse, with a strong preference for individuals who align closely with local norms. There is a high reliance on the Italian language for professional communication, often overshadowing skills and expertise. For someone like me, who was new to the culture and the language, this created barriers to fully integrating into the workplace and showcasing my abilities.

“Inclusivity, openness, and fairness, especially for women and those from diverse backgrounds, are less visible in organisational practices. From my experience, the smaller scale of immigration leads to a stereotypical understanding of Indian backgrounds.

“In contrast, the workforce in Cambridge is much more diverse, both in terms of culture and background. This creates an environment where different perspectives are respected, valued and celebrated.

“My journey in both countries has reinforced the importance of organisations embracing fairness and diversity – not just as ideals, but as actionable values.”

Suki says she has “actively participated in various initiatives and activities aimed at supporting and empowering women in tech” while in the UK. These include:

- Women of Silicon Roundabout: “I regularly attend this conference… it’s been inspiring to hear stories and case studies of success from women leaders across industries.”

- Developer and gaming conferences: “Developer and gaming conferences offer a great opportunity to advocate for more women in technical roles and highlight the importance of diversity in creating innovative solutions.”

- Mentoring and advocacy: “Beyond conferences, I make a conscious effort to mentor women entering the tech field, sharing my experiences, and encouraging them to pursue leadership opportunities.”

Next up is Layla Hosseini-Gerami, co-founder of start-up Ignota Labs, which is based on Cambridge Science Park.

Asked what challenges she has faced as a woman working in an AI-intensive role, Layla replied: “One of the biggest challenges has been overcoming industry-wide biases in AI, where leadership and technical roles are still predominantly held by men. Despite being a leader in the field, I’ve experienced situations where my expertise wasn’t immediately recognised or was second-guessed. These challenges aren’t unique to me but reflect broader systemic issues.

“However, by building strong networks, mentoring others, and actively advocating for inclusivity, I’ve been able to drive change and help shape a more diverse and equitable industry.”

And what advice would she give to any young women who may be interested in AI-relevant careers?

“Gain strong technical skills early, in particular Python and Machine Learning frameworks like PyTorch. Look for internships or opportunities to apply AI in real-world settings – online courses are useful, but applying what you’ve learned is even better. Join communities like Women in AI to build networks and meet relatable role models. Find a mentor who can guide you through career decisions – pick someone who you want to be in 5-10 years time, and get in touch with them!”

What is Layla looking forward to about the International Women’s Day event at the Bradfield Centre this year?

“I’m looking forward to connecting with like-minded professionals and celebrating the achievements of women in tech.

“International Women’s Day is a great opportunity to share experiences and discuss how we can collectively foster a more inclusive industry. Events like this spark important conversations about overcoming barriers and ensuring that women’s contributions to AI and technology are recognised and valued. It’s also a chance to inspire the next generation and explore ways to drive meaningful change in the sector.”

Also on the panel is Akanksha Baranwal, senior software engineer at AMD, which has a Cambridge Science Park base.

What careers advice would she give?

“The AI field is very diverse,” says Akanksha, “ranging from creating the hardware and software stack to developing models to its numerous applications across different industries.

“My advice is to find what interests you and become really good at it through courses and keeping up with recent developments. Get comfortable with AI assistants, chat bots, and Copilot, as these tools are increasingly popular and can enhance productivity. This is a fast-paced tech field, so it's okay not to know everything all the time. Stay curious and generally aware of recent developments to see how your work can fit in and contribute.

“Additionally, seek out mentors and join AI-related communities to network and learn from others in the field. Always keep an open mind and be willing to adapt as new advancements emerge.”

What challenges has Akanksha faced as a woman working in an AI-intensive role?

“Personally, I have been fortunate to have found the right people and the opportunities at the right time. A thing which holds me back sometimes is the imposter syndrome – I don't know if it is a human thing or a woman thing.”

Akanksha adds: “I am excited by this opportunity and pleased to be joining the AI panel. I look forward to connecting with women working on diverse aspects of AI, hearing about their vision for how it will develop, and understanding how their lives have been affected by the AI revolution. This event will be a great platform for exchanging ideas and learning from the experiences of others in the field.”