Utah Valley University (UVU) recently hosted a groundbreaking Women and AI Symposium, bringing together successful women working in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) across various industries. The symposium, held on May 7, showcased the need for gender diversity in AI development, provided insights into the current state and future trends of AI in different sectors, and explored the ethical considerations surrounding AI.

The Women and AI Symposium featured a lineup of esteemed panelists who shared their experiences and expertise in AI. Lead panelists included Heather Nemelka, Marissa Saunders, and Becky Edwards. Attendees had the opportunity to learn from these trailblazing women and gain valuable insights into how AI is being implemented and utilized across Utah. 

One of the key objectives of the symposium was to cultivate a supportive community for women in AI fields. By bringing together professionals from various industries, UVU created an opportunity for networking and connection.

“By offering events such as this, UVU can better understand and address the needs of local industries as we develop applied artificial intelligence degrees from associate to master's level,” said Dr. Anne Arendt, associate dean of the Smith College of Engineering and Technology. “UVU acts on its commitment to providing spaces and resources that encourage women to join and flourish in STEM-related fields that are currently dominated by males but need not be.”